Ex-Commerzbank analyst jailed for false sexual harassment claims in UK

LONDON (Reuters) -A former Commerzbank analyst who made false allegations of sexual harassment by a female colleague in a British employment tribunal was jailed for 20 months on Friday for his "dishonest pursuit of undeserved damages".

Damilare Ajao briefly worked for the German lender in 2019 as a "know your client" analyst, conducting due diligence on new clients, but was sacked after less than six months in the role.

He then brought an employment tribunal claim against Commerzbank and six members of staff, alleging racial discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful dismissal.

Ajao, a Black British national, said a manager – who was granted anonymity and referred to as "Ms Q" – had sexually harassed him, including by trying to grab his crotch.

But the employment tribunal dismissed all his claims and Commerzbank then brought contempt of court proceedings against Ajao at London's High Court.

Ajao said he believed the evidence he gave in the employment tribunal was true. But he was found in contempt by Judge Martin Spencer, who said he was sure Ajao's allegations were false and that Ajao knew they were false.

Ajao's lawyer, Sasha Wass, argued any sentence of imprisonment could be suspended, telling the court: "Mr Ajao is the author of his own misfortune because he chose to bring the employment tribunal case ... but it has had a devastating effect on him."

Spencer, however, said Ajao had to go to prison immediately, saying: "His lies were deliberate and perpetuated over a significant period of time and included the giving of false evidence on oath."

Ajao bowed his head and showed no emotion, before he was handcuffed and led away to the cells in the Royal Courts of Justice. He will serve 40% of his sentence in prison.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin; Editing by Andrew Heavens)