Christian Horner latest: appeal against original verdict ‘not upheld’

The appeal against the decision to dismiss the complaint about Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has also been rejected, the team has announced.

F1 was rocked by allegations - thought to be of inappropriate and controlling behaviour - that came to light back in February.

An internal process led by an independent KC had originally concluded that the 50-year-old had no case to answer, but just hours later a tranche of supposed messages between Horner and the complainant was leaked to the media, throwing the decision into doubt and Red Bull into yet more turmoil.

Horner has always denied the allegations and hasn’t publicly confirmed if the leaked material was genuine.

Meanwhile the female employee who made the complaint was suspended by Red Bull, with reports in the media suggesting she had been ‘dishonest’ and that there were inconsistencies with her evidence.

The saga has exposed Red Bull and the wider F1 community to prolonged questions about accountability, as well as the safety and wellbeing of women who work within the sport.

In April, a friend of the employee told BBC Sport that the ordeal had left her ‘scared’, ‘intimidated’ and ‘lonely’.

A statement issued by Red Bull said: "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."

Although the internal process has now concluded, that may not be the end of the controversy: it remains to be seen if the individual will pursue their case through external means instead.