CBI settles legal action brought by ousted chief Tony Danker
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has settled a legal case brought by its former director-general, Tony Danker, after he was dismissed last year following complaints about workplace misconduct.
Danker stepped down last March and was ousted a month later after a junior female colleague at the business lobby group accused him of making unwanted comments that she considered sexual harassment.
He was also criticised for inviting young female employees to solo breakfast meetings and commenting on social media posts.
Danker has previously apologised for making colleagues “feel uncomfortable” but also said he was made “the fall guy” for a wider sexual misconduct scandal, including two claims of rape, at the group, which emerged following his departure.
He said he had been wrongly associated with these claims and that his reputation was “totally trashed”.
It is understood that Danker brought legal action against the CBI over its handling of his dismissal.
The wider group’s misconduct scandal sent it into a crisis, with dozens of its biggest members suspending or withdrawing their membership. Several other groups, including The British Chambers of Commerce, set up organisations rivalling the CBI.
According to changes made to the CBI’s website, the number of businesses it claims to speak “on behalf of” has fallen by 20,000 to 170,000 in the last year.
A CBI spokesperson said on Monday: “The CBI has today settled legal action brought against the organisation by Tony Danker after his dismissal in April 2023.
“The CBI board has agreed an undisclosed settlement with Mr Danker.
“The CBI board also reiterates that Mr Danker is not associated in any way with the historical allegations reported in the media concerning matters which pre-date his tenure at the CBI and rejects any such association.”
Danker declined to comment when approached by Morning Wire