Ex-Uber boss Kalanick goes on offensive after investor lawsuit

Travis Kalanick, the former chief executive of ride-hailing app Uber, has launched a scathing criticism of the investment group which has filed a lawsuit to rid the firm of his influence.

Venture capital firm Benchmark Capital has begun the action against Kalanick, who it accuses of concealing malpractice from the board and attempting to assert control despite his resignation earlier this year.

Kalanick stepped down as the tech company’s boss in June, following months of scandals and shareholder pressure, as well as the death of his mother in a boating accident.

In the lawsuit, Benchmark claims that it owns 13% of the company, as well as 20% of the voting rights.

The executive’s first court filing in response to the lawsuit said the action brought against him was a 'public and personal attack'.

His legal team also accused Benchmark of bringing the action at a 'shameful' time in Kalanick’s personal life.

"Benchmark Capital Partners initiated this action as part of its public and personal attack on Travis Kalanick, the founder of Uber,” the filing said.

"It executed its plan at the most shameful of times: immediately after Kalanick experienced a horrible personal tragedy."

The filing added that Benchmark had coordinated an ‘ambush’ against Kalanick.

The action was launched last week, with Benchmark releasing a statement accusing the former CEO of protecting his own interests at the expense of the company.

"Kalanick's overarching objective is to pack Uber's Board with loyal allies in an effort to insulate his prior conduct from scrutiny and clear the path for his eventual return as CEO," the statement said.