The scandal-hit Confederation of British Industry (CBI) group says it has passed fresh information to the police regarding a report of a “serious criminal offence”.
It comes after police last week launched an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct at the powerful trade body.
A CBI spokesperson said on Thursday: “Late yesterday afternoon, the CBI was made aware of additional information relating to a report of a serious criminal offence.
“We have passed that information immediately to the police, with whom we are liaising closely and who have asked us not to comment further on potentially criminal matters.
“Recognising the need for confidentiality, we urge anyone, including the media, who has further information in relation to any alleged offence to also report that to the police.
“We are anticipating findings from [business law firm] Fox Williams on the matters it has been looking at imminently.
“The board will be communicating its response to this and other steps we are taking to bring about the wider change that is needed early next week.”
Last week, CBI boss Tony Danker was sacked and three other employees suspended after a series of sexual misconduct claims rocked the trade body, which represents around 190,000 organisations across the UK.
City of London Police, which covers London’s Square Mile, confirmed their probe into the allegations on April 12.
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Waight said: “The City of London Police takes all acts of sexual misconduct and violence against women and girls extremely seriously.
“We approached the CBI following media reports and our investigations are at a very early stage.
“It would not be appropriate to comment any further at this time.”
The police probe came after the Guardian revealed it had been approached by more than a dozen women who claimed to be victims of various forms of sexual misconduct by senior members of the CBI, who were not Mr Danker.
One woman said she was raped at a staff party.
Mr Danker was in February accused of allegedly making unwanted contact with a woman who works for the CBI.
She is understood to have considered the contact to be sexual harassment.
The CBI’s board said Mr Danker’s conduct “fell short” of what was expected of him and said there had been “serious failings” in how it acted as an organisation. But the ex-boss said that he was “shocked” by the decision to fire him, and claimed that allegations against him had been “distorted”.
Mr Danker said the misconduct allegations had left his reputation “totally destroyed”.
In an interview with the BBC, the former CBI boss acknowledged he had made some staff feel “very uncomfortable” and he apologised for that, but insisted he had “never used sexually suggestive language with people” at the company.
“You know, there was an incident somebody raised a complaint about unwanted contact, which was verbal contact,” he added. “There was never any physical contact. I’ve never had any physical contact. I’ve never used any sexual language. I’ve never propositioned anybody.”
City of London Police has been approached by the Standard for a comment.
