Employers organisation the CBI has sacked its director-general Tony Danker with immediate effect following the conclusion of an independent probe into complaints of workplace misconduct.
The investigation, carried out by leading employment law firm Fox Williams, followed allegations over Mr Danker’s conduct involving a female employee. Three other CBI employees are now also suspended pending further investigation into a number of ongoing allegations.
In a statement the CBI said: “When new concerns were raised relating to our director-general, Tony Danker, in early March we established an independent investigation conducted by Fox Williams, a leading employment law firm, and agreed with him that he should step aside while it took place.
"The first phase of this investigation has now concluded and, following the subsequent reports of wider workplace misconduct, the CBI board has decided to take a number of steps to bring in new leadership and make immediate changes to the way we operate. Tony Danker is dismissed with immediate effect following the independent investigation into specific complaints of workplace misconduct against him.
"The board wishes to make clear he is not the subject of any of the more recent allegations in The Guardian, but has determined that his own conduct fell short of that expected of the director general."
The CBI, which represents 190,000 businesses, has confirmed that its former chief economist Rain Newton-Smith, has been appointed its new director-general. She is currently managing director, strategy and policy, sustainability and ESG for Barclays.
The business organisation said that while Fox Williams continues with the next phase of its inquiry, it is liaising with the police and has made clear its intention to cooperate fully with any police investigations.
Its statement added: "The allegations that have been made over recent weeks about the CBI have been devastating. While investigations continue into a number of these, it is already clear to all of us that there have been serious failings in how we have acted as an organisation. We must do better, and we must be better.
"We apologise to the victims of this organisational failure, including those impacted by the revulsion we have all felt at hearing their stories. Nobody should feel unsafe in their workplace.
We wish to thank all those who have had the courage to speak out, through internal or external channels, and encourage them to keep doing so.”
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