Christian Horner’s accuser is ‘sad, scared, intimidated and lonely’, claims a family friend – after Red Bull dismissed claims of inappropriate behaviour amid ‘sex texts’ scandal

Christian Horner’s complainant is reportedly ‘upset, scared and lonely’ after accusing the Red Bull chief of inappropriate behaviour, according to a family friend – and has been ‘breaking down in tears’ unable to discuss the matter.

Formula One was rocked by allegations of coercive behaviour from a woman in Horner’s staff but an internal inquiry involving a KC cleared him last month and he has remained in charge for the opening two races of the season.

Messages purporting to be her exchanges with Horner, the 50-year-old husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, were leaked the day after the inquiry exonerated him.

Mail Sport revealed that the woman at the centre of the ‘sex-text’ scandal  – who has since been suspended on full pay – had launched an appeal against Red Bull’s findings.

Now a family friend of the accuser has spoken out on the situation and shed light on her state of mind, having signed a legal undertaking to not discuss the case further.

‘It’s impossible for people to understand what it’s like for her,’ the friend told BBC Sport anonymously. ‘She can’t talk and she won’t talk.

‘But I can tell you what it is doing to her. Every time I have asked her something, she breaks down in tears and says she’s got no-one to talk to because she’s not allowed to talk.

‘She is very upset, very angry, very scared, very intimidated, very lonely. And I think it’s impossible for people to understand without being in her shoes what it’s like for her.’

A Red Bull spokesman added: A Red Bull spokesperson said: ‘Both [parties] signed a confidentiality agreement on it so they both can’t discuss it.’ 

More to follow.