CBI boss Tony Danker sacked over ‘conduct at work’ as lobby group liaising with police
The director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, Tony Danker, has said he was “shocked” to learn of his sacking following an independent investigation into complaints of workplace misconduct against him.
In a tweet on his personal page Mr Danker said many of the allegations made against him “have been distorted”.
“I recognise the intense publicity the CBI has suffered following the revelations of awful events that occurred before my time in office. I was appalled to learn about them for the first time last week,” the tweets said.
“I was nevertheless shocked to learn this morning that I had been dismissed from the CBI, instead of being invited to put my position forward as was originally confirmed. Many of the allegations against me have been distorted, but I recognise that I unintentionally made a number of colleagues feel uncomfortable and I am truly sorry about that.”
Three other CBI employees have also been suspended pending further investigation into a number of ongoing allegations.
“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,” a CBI statement read.
“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.”
The allegations made against those working at the CBI – which was founded by royal charter in 1965 – were described as “devastating” in the statement.
The people who made allegations were praised and encouraged to keep speaking out.
“The board wishes to make clear [Mr Danker] 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 statement continued.
The main business lobby group for employers in the UK cancelled all its external events last week as misconduct accusations mounted.
Government officials also pulled out of meetings with the group and the big four accountancy firm EY ended the secondment of one of its employees to the organisation.
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CBI boss Tony Danker sacked
Law firm Fox Williams had been hired to investigate the allegations made against Mr Danker. That investigation will move into “the next phase” of its inquiry, the CBI said.
“The CBI is liaising with the police and has made clear its intention to cooperate fully with any police investigations”, a statement read.
Mr Danker had stepped aside in early March as the allegations were investigated. Before working at the CBI he held positions in management consultancy firm McKinsey, The Guardian, and helped create the Labour government’s financial crisis economic rescue package in 2008.
In its work to represent 190,000 UK businesses, the CBI has lobbied for policies to encourage women into the workforce.
Rain Newton-Smith has been appointed the new director-general to replace Mr Danker. Ms Newton-Smith is the former CBI chief economist and current managing director at Barclays for sustainability strategy and policy and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Barclays.
A “root-and-branch review” of culture, governance and processes at the CBI will take place to review what needs to change and be improved at the organisation.
“We know it will take time for these steps to make a difference and rebuild trust,” the statement said.
“We will not hesitate to take any measures necessary in the meantime to act on further findings or complaints that arise from ongoing investigations.
“Our people, partners and members all need to feel proud of the CBI to ensure it is effective. We will now work tirelessly to ensure that under new leadership and with a commitment to build a modern, inclusive culture, the CBI can and will resume its vital work of supporting British business.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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