ELEVEN staff have been suspended at the luxury boatbuilder Sunseeker following a complaint under the company’s grievance procedure.

The Poole business says it is carrying out an internal investigation to establish the facts behind the allegations of misconduct.

The investigation comes less than a month after the company’s factories featured on a BBC2 special, Britain’s Biggest Superyachts.

The allegations are thought to focus on a complaint about the treatment of one member of staff on a production line in Poole.

The company has stressed the investigation does not mean that anyone has necessarily committed misconduct.

A statement from Sunseeker said: “Sunseeker International has suspended 11 employees following an employee complaint, in line with its grievance procedure.

“An internal investigation is now being carried out to establish the facts and as a responsible employer, Sunseeker will facilitate an objective and independent investigation.

“It has been concluded that this is the most appropriate action at this time and the company’s decision is subject to on-going reviews.

“It does not mean that any employee has been, or will be, found to have committed any act of misconduct.”

Last month’s BBC documentary, filmed over 10 months, focused on the building of the 131 superyacht, which was launched in the presence of Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville at the London Boat Show in January.

The documentary heard how the company could build four of the massive yachts a year, bringing in as much revenue for the business as 40 small or mid-sized vessels.

The construction of the boat in the programme was the most bespoke in the firm’s history, with a high percentage of its 120,000 components specified by its buyer.

Sunseeker announced in January that it would be hiring 225 skilled staff in Dorset rather than the previously announced 100 and has been hiring apprentices.

It said it was looking at a “very strong” order book for 2016, with several new models planned.

The company made a loss of £41million in 2014 but chief executive Phil Popham has said it expects to return to profit in 2016.

The 131 Yacht, revealed last autumn, is the first of three models set for launch this year.