Christian Horner’s ‘relief’ after accuser’s appeal was dismissed in ‘inappropriate behaviour’ case

Christian Horner has admitted he was “relieved” after an appeal was dismissed over a complaint against him of “inappropriate behaviour” by a female colleague.

Red Bull team principal Horner broke his silence after being cleared this month for a second time of the allegations against him by a KC hired by the Formula 1 world champions.

The case complaint had previously been dismissed by another KC back in March.

But that was followed by the leak of 79 screenshots containing WhatsApp messages and images – some lewd – via an anonymous email account to accredited journalists as well as F1 team principals and officials involved in the sport.

The complainant was suspended on full pay before launching an appeal, which the team announced a fortnight ago had also been dismissed.

The leaked messages, the veracity of which Horner has neither confirmed nor denied, triggered a civil war at Red Bull amid mounting tension between him and world champion Max Verstappen’s father, Jos.

Fears Verstappen Jnr might quit Red Bull subsequently failed to come to pass, while Horner’s wife, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, gave her husband a public show of support by accompanying him at the first two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

He was also backed by Chalerm Yoovidhya, the majority shareholder of the team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix on Friday, Horner told Sky Sports F1: “Obviously, it’s been a hugely thorough process and, of course, I was relieved with the appeal concluding and dismissing the claim.

“It is a private matter. I’m just relieved that the process [carried out by] the company now has been concluded. Our focus is very much on track.

“It’s very much, as it has been all season, focus on track, here at Max’s home race and looking forward to these last 10 races.”

A full statement from the company on August 8 read: “Earlier this year a complaint raised against Christian Horner was investigated.

“That complaint was dealt with through the company’s grievance procedure by the appointment of an independent KC, who dismissed the grievance.

“The complainant exercised the right to appeal, and the appeal was carried out by another independent KC.

“All stages of the appeal process have now been concluded, with the final outcome that the appeal is not upheld. The KC’s conclusions have been accepted and adopted by Red Bull. The internal process has concluded.

“The company respects the privacy of all its employees and will not be making further public comment on this matter at this time. Red Bull is committed to continuing to meet the highest workplace standards.”

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