(Recasts, adds details from CBI statement, background)
LONDON, April 11 (Reuters) - The Confederation of
British Industry said on Tuesday it had fired Tony Danker as
director-general after an investigation into complaints of
workplace misconduct and replaced him with former chief
economist Rain Newton-Smith.
"The allegations that have been made over recent weeks about
the CBI have been devastating," it said in a statement.
"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."
Danker stepped aside in March while the CBI conducted a
review into his behaviour.
The Guardian newspaper said a complaint was submitted in
January by a female CBI employee and more allegations had been
brought by other staff members subsequently.
The CBI said three employees were suspended pending further
investigation into a number of ongoing allegations.
"The CBI is liaising with the police and has made clear its
intention to cooperate fully with any police investigations," it
said.
The CBI said the board wished to make clear that Danker was
not the subject of the more recent allegations in the Guardian
but it had determined that his conduct fell short of that
expected of the director general.
Newton-Smith, a former Bank of England economist, left the
CBI in March to join Barclays where she is Managing Director for
Strategy and Policy, Sustainability and ESG.
After he was suspended, Danker expressed regret over his
behaviour.
"It's been mortifying to hear that I have caused offence or
anxiety to any colleague. It was completely unintentional, and I
apologise profusely," he said in a statement.
(Writing by William Schomberg; Editing by Kate Holton and Angus
MacSwan)
Reuters Messaging: william.schomberg.reuters.com@reuters.net))
