Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President Alan Jones has returned to his post following a two-month leave of absence prompted by the disclosure of an affair that had taken place between Jones and another person.
Jones temporarily stepped back from his role in April when news of the affair prompted an external review of the situation by Britain's Charity Commission, the group that oversees groups like RIBA.
As part of his return to work at RIBA on June 15th, 2020, Jones issued a statement describing the matter and apologizing for the affair.
Jone's statement, first published in The Architect's Journal, is printed in full below:
To my fellow RIBA members:
You will have seen media articles about recent events and that I was stepping back from my post for a period. I am writing to explain what happened and to apologise for my conduct which led to this, which was not of the standard you have a right to expect of me.
Some time ago I came into contact with a person who had become frustrated in her attempts to enter our profession. My intention was to help and support her. However, gradually we became friends and later the relationship became close for some months. In March, matters between us came to a head. I disclosed the matter to my wife and to the RIBA, which led to a report being made to the Charity Commission.
In December 2019 when I had been asked about this by members of the RIBA staff, I did not give a full and frank account of events. This I plainly should have done. I have now apologised to those concerned for this serious failing and have undertaken to the RIBA Board that nothing like this will happen again.
I am sorry for the distraction my conduct has caused to the RIBA at a time when our focus should be on supporting our members. I offer you all my sincere and unqualified apology.
Yours sincerely,
Alan Jones
12 Comments
Well, nothing to see here, moving right along...white male privilege.
It gets worse. He's British.
Well, nothing to see here, moving right along...white male virtue signalling.
Well, nothing to see here, moving right along...troll.
How could any white man in his position have the balls to return to the role considering he had a big manifesto on student professionalism, gender equality and redefining the profession. I guess some could say his activities were 'on the ground-research'. Alan should do the honourable thing and resign.
um yeah, no.
wrong again. marion barry was re-elected. this white male was reinstalled. privilege at its finest, son.
he wasn't reinstalled, he stepped back for a bit and just went back to work. please inform yourself before you signal virtues...
Just shows you how much no one really cares, but its always good click bait, something worth screaming about on the interweb of social stupidity.
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