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Government trade advisor and Conservative donor David Meller has been labelled a “nasty piece of work” after he repeatedly encouraged the workplace “bullying” of his own son for being lazy, in a secret recording obtained by Byline Times.
During the conversation Meller – who was given a CBE for “services to education” in 2018 – can be heard telling a partner in his company that he wanted Jonathan Meller, who he employed, to be “given a hard time”.
Speaking about the recording, one of Meller’s former colleagues, who asked not to be identified, said: “The way David Meller speaks about his own family members when they are not around shows his true colours. He is a nasty piece of work.”
Lawyers for Meller said: “There is nothing ‘nasty’…in wanting a son embarking on their career to face adversity. Such an experience is key to achieving success in Mr Meller’s opinion.”
