Geri Halliwell will attend the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after Red Bull suspended her husband’s accuser Christian Horner.
The woman accused the Red Bull team principal of “coercive behaviour”, an allegation of which he was cleared in an internal investigation last Wednesday before WhatsApps of an allegedly suggestive nature were leaked the following day.
Mail Sport understands that the decision to suspend her is a direct result of the findings of the investigation. They told him his testimony was “dishonest.”
Horner, 51, faced reporters at a press conference yesterday and admitted the saga had taken its toll on his family, while dodging questions about the woman at the center of it.
He also said his wife and former Spice Girl had been “hugely supportive” but admitted the scandal had been “very difficult” for his family.
Geri Halliwell accompanied Horner on race day last week in a defiant show of support for her embattled husband.
The couple looked in good spirits throughout the day and shared several kisses in a successful day on the track for the team.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is pictured on March 8 during practice ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
“It’s obviously been a very difficult period,” he said. ‘I am married and have three children. And when that intrusion includes your children and the scrutiny that is placed on your marriage.
‘I am very lucky to have a beautiful family and a very supportive wife. Of course, it is very difficult, it is a great challenge. “When there are children involved, parents, families, it is not pretty.”
He added that the complaint had been “handled in the most professional manner” by the parent company of Red Bull GmbH, which had appointed one of the “most important KCs in the country”.
‘He interviewed all the people involved, as well as other persons of interest. He looked at everything and came to the conclusion that he dismissed the grievance. As far as I am concerned and as far as Red Bull is concerned, we have moved on and are looking to the future. Now is the time to put an end to this.’
Referring to messages sent last week, he said: “I think there have been a lot of leaks around this in what is a private and confidential matter between employees and the company.”
But he declined to comment further on the employee’s suspension, saying the “grievance process” was “confidential between the individuals and the company.”
Christian Horner faced a barrage of questions on Thursday after a week of unwanted headlines.
The Red Bull boss has so far resisted calls for him to step down from the role he has held since 2005. Horner is pictured on March 7 ahead of the F1 Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia.
Horner was seen laughing with Max Verstappen in the garage before practice on Thursday.
Following the dramatic announcement of the suspension, a Red Bull spokesperson said: “We cannot comment on an internal employee matter.” The inquiry heard 60 hours of evidence and culminated in a 150-page report by a top London prosecutor.
The employee may still appeal the outcome of the investigation. The deadline to do so extends five days from the time the official legal letters were delivered to both parties, which is believed to have been Monday or Tuesday of this week.
Horner, whose team got off to a perfect start to their season-opening double title defence, was eager to draw attention again to Saturday’s Grand Prix.
After answering a barrage of questions on the subject, he called for the invasion of his private life to stop and for the focus to be on racing.
“The intrusion into my family is enough,” he said. ‘We need to move forward. “Now is the time to focus on the reason we are here, which is to compete in Formula One.”
Geri Halliwell accompanied Horner on race day last week in a defiant show of support for her embattled husband.
The pair celebrated with an awkward hug after Max Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday.
Last week, anticipating the letters, Red Bull’s GmbH issued a statement saying: “The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete and Red Bull can confirm that the complaint has been dismissed.”
‘The plaintiff has the right to appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.
‘The investigation report is confidential and contains private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all those involved. “Red Bull will continue to strive to meet the highest standards in the workplace.”
Thursday’s shocking move comes after Halliwell reportedly She demanded that her husband cut ties with the colleague and wants the woman “out of the picture.”
She put on a show of support for her embattled husband at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday, with the pair kissing and hugging in front of the cameras before Max Verstappen claimed victory for Red Bull.