By IANS,
London: Meredith Alexander, a prominent member of the independent watchdog that monitors the sustainability of the 2012 London Games, has resigned to protest ed Dow Chemicals’ sponsorship of the Olympic Stadium wrap.
Meredith, who was one of the 13 Ethics Commissioners for the Games, late Wednesday quit her unpaid role, protesting against the 7 million pound sponsorship deal with the chemical giant, which is linked to Union Carbide, the company responsible for the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster that claimed thousands of lives.
Dow’s association with the London Olympics has angered human rights campaigners.
“I don’t want to be party to a defence of Dow Chemicals, the company responsible for one of the worst corporate human rights violations in my generation. It is appalling that 27 years on, the site has still not been cleaned up and thousands upon thousands of people are still suffering. I believe people should be free to enjoy London 2012 without this toxic legacy on their conscience,” said Meredith.
Meredith’s resignation comes after chairman of the organising committee, Lord Sebastian Coe defended Dow’s sponsorship deal, saying the company had no involvement with Bhopal at the time of the disaster or when the final compensation settlement was agreed.
The commission, of which Meredith was a part, said in a statement: “Sorry to confirm the resignation of Commissioner Meredith Alexander, whose remit covered supply chains and behaviour change.”
It added: “Meredith has stated that the reason for her resignation is that she does not feel she can remain with the commission in light of Locog’s appointment of Dow Chemicals as the stadium wrap supplier, and the commission fully respects her decision to leave on this basis.”
The commission is partly funded by the organising committee and was formed in 2007 to oversee the sustainability standards of the Olympic delivery bodies.
Shaun McCarthy, the commission chairman, said that while the commission wholeheartedly agrees that human rights are of paramount importance, it is not something the organisation is empowered to handle.