The report of the independent review into British Cycling may be further delayed because of Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision to call a snap General Election, it has emerged.
According to Telegraph Sport, elite sports funding body UK Sport, which ordered the independent review a year ago, is unsure whether it will be bound by Whitehall rules that restrict the activities of governmental departments and agencies during pre-election periods.
The so-called ‘purdah period’ is established by convention within the Civil Service rather than being laid down by statute, and the newspaper reports that UK Sport has sought advice from the Department for Culture Media and Sport.
The independent panel that conducted the review was headed by Annamarie Phelps, the chairman of British Rowing.
It was set up a year ago in response to claims of bullying and discrimination made against former Great Britain Cycling Team technical director Shane Sutton and other British Cycling staff.
> British Cycling’s new performance director happy to let riders seek coaching from Shane Sutton
It was originally due to report after the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games last year.
However, the publication date has continued to be pushed back for reasons including the number of people giving evidence, and legal arguments over how much information should be disclosed.
A draft of the report was delivered to UK Sport and British Cycling in December, and the governing body has since agreed an Action Plan with the funding agency and has overhauled its senior management team with several appointments to key positions.
Last week, British Cycling said that the report should be published next month, although the calling of the general election now throws doubt on that.
> British Cycling updates on independent review action plan - as report again delayed
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4 comments
How extraordinarily convenient.
Boom - could not agree more.
I would also add that if you are going to judge others on bad goveranance ... you need to ensure that you are well goverened yourself...
(Not saying this latest delay is a case in point, just an opinion formed from following this story for the last year.)
While I don't want to suggest that it isn't important that some lessons are learnt from the events at British Cycling, I can't help think that turning the whole thing into a re-run of the Chilcott inquiry is disproportionate and a waste of time and money.
Separately, Gov.uk says "from now until 7 May, the key principle to keep in mind is that we should do everything possible to avoid any activity that could call our political impartiality into question and to ensure that public resources are not used for party-political purposes". It's difficult to imagine how the report could have any bearing on an election that I imagine will be fought over marginally bigger issues, so not sure how there's a risk of being perceived as impartial.
It actaully is a complete and utter waste of time and money