“These attacks on‚ and criticisms of‚ our staff continued and were clearly the result of strong and sincere anger. Most seriously‚ it was said that we had supported or aided campaigns to stir up racial division in South Africa. Therefore‚ we called in the leading independent international law firm‚ Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‚ to review the account and the work done on it. That investigation is still continuing and will be completed in the next few weeks. We intend to publish the findings of that report and take appropriate action.” 

Chief Executive James Henderson added that, “Much of what has been alleged about our work is‚ we believe‚ not true – but enough of it is to be of deep concern. There has been a social media campaign that highlights the issue of economic emancipation in a way that we‚ having now seen it‚ consider to be inappropriate and offensive. At various points throughout the tenure of the Oakbay account‚ senior management have been misled about what has been done. For it to be done in South Africa‚ a country which has become an international beacon of hope for its progress towards racial reconciliation‚ is a matter of profound regret and in no way reflects the values of Bell Pottinger.”