Virgin boss Richard Branson joins Brunei hotel boycott

Virgin boss Richard Branson has announced the company is boycotting hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei following his introduction of new anti-gay laws.

The CEO tweeted yesterday (May 3) to confirm that neither Virgin employees nor any member of his family will stay at a hotel which is part of the Sultan’s “Dorchester Collection” of hotels until the leader “abides by basic human rights.”

Last month (April), it emerged that the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is making anal sex punishable with death by stoning, alongside other offences like rape, adultery and extramarital sexual relations for Muslims. The new laws began to be phased in this Thursday (May 1).

Meanwhile, Sharon Osbourne and Stephen Fry are also taking part in the hotel boycott, with the latter cancelling his reservation at Ascot’s Coworth Park Hotel after discovering it is part of the Dorchester Collection.

A spokesperson for the Dorchester Collection responded by saying that the company does “not tolerate any form of discrimination” and that they support “equality, respect and integrity” in all areas of their operation.

Sharon Osbourne urges fans to join Brunei hotel boycott
Stephen Fry boycotts Ascot hotel over Brunei anti-gay law