IOD Chair resigns over bullying accusations

The Chairwoman of the Institute of Directors (IoD) has resigned as the body investigates allegations of bullying behaviour.

Barbara Judge was allegedly recorded telling the IoD's Director General that "the problem is we have one black and one pregnant woman [on the IoD secretariat] and that is the worst combination we could possibly have".

The Guardian suggests that Judge is also alleged to have bullied her assistant and reduced her to tears on several occasions.

In her resignation letter Judge said: “I continue to strongly refute the allegations made against me and remain deeply disturbed by the gross and conspiratorial mishandling of the process which has led to the damaging circumstances in which I and the institute are now placed.”