The City of London Corporation has banned individuals involved in a WhatsApp scandal from future events hosted by the authority, including a sitting councillor. Dr Fraser Peck, a Common Councillor representing Farringdon Within, was among several former members of the Guild of Young Freemen (GYF) implicated in two WhatsApp groups where misogynistic, racist and ableist content was allegedly shared.
The GYF, which is independent of the City of London Corporation, conducted an investigation into the claims. It identified several individuals involved and excluded them from future activities and events. None of those implicated remain members of the Guild following the investigation.
Councillor's involvement
Cllr Dr Fraser Peck was elected to the City of London Corporation in March 2025. He served on the GYF as Middle Warden but resigned from the Guild shortly after the allegations emerged late last year. The exact nature of his involvement has not been confirmed.
A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation previously stated that it would decide whether to follow the GYF's lead and ban those involved “in due course”. It has now been confirmed that elected members have agreed the “offending individuals” will not be invited to future hospitality events hosted by the Corporation, including dinners at Guildhall and Mansion House.
Guild of Young Freemen
According to its website, the GYF was founded in 1976 “to provide a platform for young professionals to engage with the civic and historical traditions of the City”. While it has connections with the Corporation, including former Lord Mayor Alderman Alastair King listed as a past Honorary President, it is technically independent. However, Alderwoman Martha Grekos previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the Guild and the Corporation are “intimately connected”, due to the City’s premises being used by the GYF for meetings and dinners.
The allegations regarding explicit messages shared in WhatsApp groups were raised late last year, prompting the GYF to launch an investigation. A statement published on February 5 by Michael Polak, the new Master of the GYF, said: “I extend my personal apologies to those who have been in any way affected by the unacceptable conduct displayed by previous members of the Court. Since last week, none of those individuals have remained members of the Guild, and they are not welcome at our future activities and events.”
None of those involved were publicly named by the GYF, as a spokesperson said they were unable to disclose information about past or present members without their consent. However, the LDRS has seen images of the GYF's report and can confirm Cllr Peck was among those identified as participating in the groups. Local City blog Reclaim EC1 first reported further details of the exclusions in February.
The LDRS has since pursued the Corporation for an update on whether it would mirror the GYF's ban. This week, a spokesperson confirmed: “The GYF is independent of the City Corporation. We do not tolerate discrimination in any form. Elected Members have agreed that the offending individuals from GYF will not be invited to hospitality events hosted by the City Corporation.”
The LDRS approached Cllr Peck but received no response at the time of publication.
