City of London police open inquiry into alleged sexual misconduct at CBI
City of London police have launched an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct at the Confederation of British Industry in the wake of the Guardian’s reports of complaints against senior figures at the organisation.
Britain’s most prominent business group is battling to secure its future after more than a dozen women employed by the CBI claimed to have been victims of various forms of sexual misconduct, including an allegation of rape during a staff party.
In a day of turmoil, the CBI announced on Tuesday morning it had dismissed its director general, Tony Danker, who had previously been suspended following separate allegations regarding his conduct, which were revealed by the Guardian last month.
The CBI said in a statement on Tuesday: “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 police force said that after the more recent reports, it had approached the CBI and that its investigation was at an early stage.
A spokesperson said: “The City of London police takes all acts of sexual misconduct and violence against women and girls extremely seriously.
“We approached the CBI following media reports and our investigations are at a very early stage. It would not be appropriate to comment any further at this time.”
The allegations have plunged the CBI into its deepest crisis since it was formed by royal charter in 1965. The organisation, which represents 190,000 businesses, is facing a boycott by its own members and the
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