CBI’s ex-DG mulls legal action over speedy dismissal

JESSICA FRANK-KEYES

THE FORMER director-general of the Confederation of British Industry is considering suing the scandal-hit lobby group after he was dismissed from the top job as the group became embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal.

Tony Danker, who was removed in April, is said to be receiving legal advice about filing a potential claim against the CBI, according to the Sunday Times, after he was accused of workplace misconduct.

Danker and a young female colleague reportedly bonded after an office session at Lucky Voice in Soho in winter 2021, and had exchanged messages joking about their favourite songs, the report surmised.

She went on to make a complaint about him after he told her something to the effect that he had had a dream about them singing karaoke together.

The exact wording is said to be disputed, the report said.

The CBI was contacted for comment. City A.M. was unable to contact Danker, but he has previously apologised saying he was “truly sorry” for making colleagues “feel uncomfortable”. However, he has also said he was made “the fall guy” for the wider sexual misconduct scandal at the group.

The CBI is now fighting for survival ahead of an extraordinary general meeting on Tuesday, where members will decide on the organisation’s future.

While many companies have left the group, some remaining firms are said to be shoring up support for the group in advance of the confidence vote.

Siemens was leading a last-ditch attempt this weekend to save the group, encouraging remaining members to sign a letter urging them to publicly endorse its survival, Sky News reported.

“At a time when the UK economy is facing strong economic headwinds and anaemic growth, and with a general election expected before the end of next year, it is vital that there is a credible voice representing all sectors and sizes of UK business,” the letter, seen by Sky News, said.

New CBI chief Rain Newton-Smith said the lead-up to tomorrow’s vote was “nerve-wracking.”

It won’t be going down well in CBI headquarters that the day before a crunch vote on its future as Britain’s biggest business body, one of its key rivals - the British Chambers of Commerce - has announced a new ‘business council’ of senior figures to give it some additional heft. Make no mistake, the chambers are gunning for the CBI’s seat at the table. Others, including the nascent BizUK - run out of WPI Strategy - are also jockeying for position. Will they be able to replace the CBI? That will depend not on the business group’s members, nor on the efforts