Under fire Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick resigns

Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick has resigned following a series of scandals which led to questions over his leadership.

The taxi firm, founded in 2009, has in recent months been plagued by issues surrounding its working culture - including purported sexual harassment, trade secrets theft and [dishonesty.](http://Uber probe over software)

Mr Kalanick, who co-founded the company, had found himself under increasing scrutiny from shareholders.
According to the New York Times, a number of investors wrote a letter demanding he step down.

Among the signatories of the letter, entitled "Moving Uber Forward", were Benchmark, First Round Capital, Lowercase Capital, Menlo Ventures and Fidelity Investments.

Investors also called for the Uber board to appoint more "truly independent directors".

Mr Kalanick, who was already on indefinite leave, said to the newspaper: "I love Uber more than anything in the world and at this difficult moment in my personal life I have accepted the investors' request to step aside so that Uber can go back to building rather than be distracted with another fight."

 STV NEWS