Red Bull has suspended a woman who accused Christian Horner of inappropriate behaviour

The woman who accused team principal Christian Horner of inappropriate and controlling behavior has been suspended by Red Bull.

“The company cannot comment on this internal matter,” a Red Bull spokesman said on Thursday.

BBC Sport has learned that the reason Red Bull gave the employee was that she had been dishonest.

These allegations first came into the public domain early last month.

Red Bull's board made its decision to reject the matter last week after reading a report compiled by what the company called an independent KC over several weeks.

The company did not provide any explanation for the decision and did not reveal what was included in the report or the name of the lawyer.

A day after Red Bull rejected the complaint, an anonymous email was leaked containing messages alleging Horner's involvement.

Speaking at the Bahrain Grand Prix last week, the 50-year-old refused to say whether the leaked messages were real.

An attempt to ask him if the messages were real was stopped by Red Bull's PR handler.

Red Bull major shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya refused to answer BBC Sport's questions on the matter in Bahrain.

Sources close to Red Bull say there is a split between Red Bull's Thai side and the Austrian headquarters, which owns 49% of the company.

It is said that the Austrians wanted to sack Horner from his position but Joovidhya supported the team manager.

Jos Verstappen – father of three-time Red Bull world champion Max – said the controversy over Horner “divides people” and is “not good for the team”.

Asked about his father's comments, Max Verstappen said Joss was “not a liar”.

He added: “I think he felt it clearly. But for my part, it doesn’t matter if I’m on one side or the other.

“Of course as my father's son, it would be strange to be on a different side, but I just want to focus on the performance side of things,” he added.

March 7: The woman who accused Horner of inappropriate behavior has been suspended by Red Bull.