Red Bull has suspended Christian Horner’s accuser, who had complained about his “inappropriate behavior.”
Red Bull team principal Horner was cleared last week of any wrongdoing related to a female colleague following an extensive internal investigation that lasted more than three weeks. Horner was seen arriving for the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix practice sessions on Thursday without his wife, Spice Girls star Geri Halliwell.
Claimed WhatsApp texts and images from Horner were leaked to the media and senior Formula 1 executives twenty-four hours following Red Bull’s statement ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
The 50-year-old boss strongly denied the accusations and maintains his innocence. It has now emerged that the accuser, an employee of the Milton Keynes team, has been suspended. Red Bull have remained tight-lipped on the situation but said in a statement: “The company cannot comment on this internal matter.”
When asked about the situation during a team principals press conference, Horner replied: “I can’t comment on anything that’s confidential between the employee and the company.”
The 50-year-old added: “There’s been a lot of coverage surrounding this. One has to go back to the basis. A grievance was raised, fully investigated and it was dismissed. We move onwards.”
The unidentified woman, who is said to have been suspended on full pay, saw her grievance officially dismissed last Wednesday, although she was given a right to appeal. It is understood the deadline for that appeal was Wednesday, March 6.
The Formula 1 world has been shaken by the scandal, with Red Bull’s statement last Wednesday failing to put an end to the controversy. “The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed,” it read.
“The complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.
