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The World Economic Forum (WEF), a powerful global institution, is reeling from explosive accusations that its founder, Klaus Schwab, directly intervened to manipulate data in a crucial report to paint Brexit in a negative light. This scandal, revealed through an internal WEF investigation, has ignited a firestorm of criticism from prominent Brexiteers and raised serious questions about the organization's integrity and its alleged anti-democratic practices.
The core of the allegations centers on the WEF's annual Global
Competitiveness Report, a highly influential publication that ranks countries on their productivity and long-term prosperity. In the 2017/18 report, the UK's position initially showed a significant jump from seventh to fourth place following a change in methodology. However, it is now claimed that Klaus Schwab personally wrote to staff, instructing that Britain "must not see any improvement" as it would be "exploited by the Brexit camp." The final published report subsequently showed the UK dropping one place to eighth.
At the time of the report's release, WEF officials had stated that the 2016 Brexit vote had not yet impacted the rankings, while simultaneously warning that the departure from the EU was likely to undermine Britain's future competitiveness. These new revelations, reported by the Swiss newspaper SonntagsZeitung citing an internal WEF investigation, suggest a deeper, politically motivated agenda at play.
The investigation was reportedly launched after a whistleblower accused Schwab of misusing funds, making suggestive remarks to younger staff, and, crucially, manipulating research data. The preliminary findings of this probe reportedly corroborate these serious allegations, indicating that Schwab's alleged wrongdoing extended to meddling with the Global Competitiveness Report. It's also reported that Schwab allegedly intervened multiple times to alter or suppress unfavorable rankings for other countries, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and India, ostensibly to preserve diplomatic relations or avoid political fallout.
The political fallout in the UK has been immediate and fierce. Arch-Brexiteer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage wasted no time in condemning the revelations, telling The Telegraph: "Every conspiracy theory about Klaus Schwab now turns out to be true. He is a dangerous globalist manipulator."
Dame Priti Patel, the Tory Shadow Foreign Secretary, echoed this outrage, stating: "For such a senior figure in geopolitical affairs to have conspired and manipulated information against Brexit and the democratic outcome of a political process is a stain on the reputation of the WEF and those who are part of that forum, and it is thoroughly unacceptable." She further accused the WEF of "anti-democratic practices, sinister manipulation and corrupted process all based upon damaging Britain's reputation and standing in the world because of Schwab's narrow minded and selfish ideological purposes."
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice added, "No surprise the globalist WEF appears to have distorted facts to prevent sovereignty and independence being seen as a good thing. They are a dreadful organisation that Reform will have nothing to do with."
The timing of the alleged data manipulation is particularly sensitive, as the UK had already voted to leave the EU by the time the report was compiled, and tortuous Brexit negotiations were underway, alongside ongoing pressure for a re-run of the referendum.
In a significant development that adds further weight to the accusations, Klaus Schwab, aged 87, formally stepped down from his role as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum on April 20, 2025, with immediate effect. While the official statement from the WEF cited his age and the desire for a governance transition, his departure came just days after these misconduct allegations, including the data manipulation claims, publicly emerged. The WEF's board has since unanimously supported an independent investigation into the allegations. Schwab himself has consistently denied all claims of misconduct and has reportedly filed a criminal complaint against the whistleblowers. Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, former Nestle CEO, has been appointed interim Chairman while a search for a permanent successor is underway.
This scandal threatens to severely damage the WEF's long-standing reputation as an impartial and influential platform for global dialogue and economic thought leadership. For critics of globalism and proponents of national sovereignty, these revelations serve as potent evidence of what they perceive as an entrenched establishment working to undermine democratic decisions.
As the independent investigation proceeds, the world will be watching to see how this dramatic episode impacts the future credibility and influence of the World Economic Forum.
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