Zac Goldsmith accused of 'hypocrisy' over firm that fails to pay London living wage

"Hyprocisy": Mr Goldsmith was challenged by Labour over the London living wage
Alex Lentati
Pippa Crerar20 January 2016

Zac Goldsmith was accused of “gross hypocrisy” today after it emerged that a company he holds shares in does not pay the London living wage.

Labour said he should have called for All Star Leisure, which runs high-end bowling alleys, to pay the £9.40-an-hour rate.

The Tory mayoral candidate owns 1.48 per cent of the firm, but his family and friends own more than 20 per cent, more than enough together to call for an extraordinary general meeting where pay rates could be decided.

Mr Goldsmith’s campaign has said he is a “firm believer” in the London living wage. However, All Star Leisure is advertising jobs for reservations staff at £8 per hour.

Seema Malhotra MP, Labour’s shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, accused him of “gross hypocrisy”, adding: “If he won’t do anything in a firm where his family are such big shareholders, it raises serious questions about his ability to persuade other employers.”

Mr Goldsmith’s campaign defended his record and queried how much influence he could have in a firm in which he held a 1.48 per cent share. All Star Leisure said: “We aspire for all our team to earn more than the London living wage in the near future.”

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