CBI boss Tony Danker has stepped apart following an allegation over his office conduct on the UK’s largest enterprise group.

The CBI on Monday mentioned it had been advised in January of an allegation relating to its director-general, which was investigated and handled “in keeping with CBI process”.

It mentioned the investigation into the formal criticism, throughout which Danker remained in place as head of the influential commerce physique, “decided that the difficulty didn’t require escalation to a disciplinary course of”.

Nevertheless, the enterprise organisation mentioned it had since been made conscious of additional reviews relating to Danker’s office conduct, which “will result in an impartial investigation into these new issues”.

Danker requested to step apart from his position in the course of the investigation, it added.

“The CBI takes all issues of office conduct extraordinarily significantly however you will need to stress that, till this investigation is full, any new allegations stay unproven and it could be inappropriate to remark additional at this stage,” it mentioned in an announcement.

The CBI has employed regulation agency Fox Williams to supervise the investigation. Matthew Fell, the CBI’s chief UK coverage director, has taken over on an interim foundation.

Danker mentioned in an announcement on Twitter: “It’s been mortifying to listen to that I’ve brought on offence or nervousness to any colleague. It was utterly unintentional, and I apologise profusely. We all the time try for the very best requirements. I due to this fact assist the choice we’ve taken to evaluation any new allegations independently. And I’ve determined to step apart whereas the evaluation takes place and can co-operate totally with it.”

The Guardian, which first reported the investigation, approached the CBI final week concerning the formal criticism made in January by a feminine worker about verbal and undesirable contact that she thought-about sexual harassment, in addition to different allegations.

The Guardian additionally reported allegations that Danker despatched a collection of undesirable messages to the lady, though it added that they weren’t considered a part of the criticism.

As head of the CBI, Danker has championed office variety and gender stability, most not too long ago arguing final week that the federal government ought to improve funding in childcare to assist mother and father again into the workforce.

The choice by Belfast-born Danker to step apart comes at a fragile time for the CBI because it prepares to foyer authorities over business-related insurance policies to be included within the upcoming price range.

The group represents a few of Britain’s largest companies similar to Tesco, Unilever, Deloitte and Barclays. Danker has labored to revive a stronger relationship with the federal government after clashes over the impression of Brexit on British companies after the EU referendum.

Danker has been director-general of the CBI since November 2020, and was beforehand the chief govt of Be the Enterprise, a foyer group. He has additionally served govt roles on the Guardian Information & Media group and at McKinsey.