Christian Horner has been mocked by Mumsnet users over ‘mortifying’ leaked texts he allegedly sent to a junior female employee.
Geri Halliwell’s husband was cleared to continue as Red Bull team principal on Wednesday following an internal probe into claims of ‘coercive behaviour’, which he has always denied.
But just 24 hours later, texts apparently exchanged between him and the complainant were sent from an anonymous email to 149 F1 figures – leading friends to warn that his marriage to the Spice Girl was ‘in question for the first time’ .
Mumsnet users described the messages as ‘sleazy’, with one writing that they ‘give me the creeps’.
Another described the exchanges as ‘humiliating’ for Halliwell, adding ‘I really feel for her’.
Christian Horner in Bahrain today. The Red Bull team principal has been mocked on Mumsnet over ‘mortifying’ leaked texts
One of the suggestive text exchanges that are said to involve Horner and have been leaked online
One forum poster suggested the messages raised questions for Red Bull.
‘It calls Red Bull’s integrity into question,’ the mother wrote. ‘They did say it was a private matter after the leak, but as this is an employee, I do not think they can get away with going into hiding on it.’
Others were more direct, describing the messages as ‘grim’ and ‘pathetic’.
Horner returned to the paddock in Bahrain today with his future once again in the spotlight after hundreds of WhatsApp messages were plastered all over social media.
Spice Girl Geri Halliwell is seen with husband Horner at the World Premiere of ‘The Moonwalkers’ last December
As well as putting his marriage under threat, Horner, 50, is also at risk of falling foul of the moral behaviour code set by F1 governing body the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
This can be breached if ‘any words, deeds, or writings have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members, or its executive officers, and more generally on the interest of motorsport and on the values defended by the FIA’.
Sources close the employee have questioned the ‘one-side’ decision to clear Horner and feel it should be looked at again after the leak of the crude messages her boss allegedly sent her.
Meanwhile, Halliwell flew out to Bahrain last night before the email containing the leaked messages was sent.
The Spice Girl is said to be ‘having the meltdown to end all meltdowns’ over the leaks.
Shortly after the leak yesterday, Horner released a statement which read: ‘I will not comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate I have always denied the allegations.
Below, we reveal a flavour the messages, which are now being widely circulating on social media –
Suggestive jokes
Many of the texts leaked online take the form of playful exchanges.
One exchange with Horner apparently sending the woman a picture of him in an airport after landing, which he jests about stretching her legs, to which she responds: ‘Wow’
A second begins with a ‘confession’ and reference to flying to Dubai and being ‘out of control’, followed by a reference to a solo sex act.
Photo requests
Several of the texts said to have been sent by Horner include requests for selfies.
In one he appears to tell the woman a photo of her in nightclothes is ‘needed’ and makes a request for another pic, followed by a winky face emoji, as the pair are discussing preparations for a trip.
Jokes about underwear
‘Horner’s’ enthusiasm for a certain brand of underwear crops up repeatedly in the leaked WhatsApp chats, in which the woman is said to ‘look very attractive’.
Other messages mentioning the figure-hugging womenswear include reference to the brand and a ‘tart’ followed by a crying with laughter emoji.
Worries about messages
The leaked WhatsApps include several times when ‘Horner’ asks the woman to delete the texts they have exchanged.
Other times, ‘Horner’ appears to regret some of his texts.
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