Doping agency holds peace on Wiggins inquiry

THE UK Anti-Doping agency has refused a freedom of information request to disclose the letters they sent to Team Sky and British Cycling after the conclusion last month of their investigation into the Sir Bradley Wiggins Jiffy bag.

UKAD has been highly critical of both organisations. Its chief executive Nicole Sapstead delivered a damning report to a parliamentary hearing before making further comments five weeks ago.

“Our investigation was hampered by a lack of accurate medical records being available at British Cycling,” said Ms Sapstead when explaining why UKAD investigators had been unable to identify the contents of the Sky medical package. “This is a serious concern.” She also said “the matter was further complicated by the crossover between personnel at British Cycling and Team Sky” and sources suggested that the agency was even more scathing in writing.

But the deadline for the FOI request coincided last week with news of Chris Froome’s failed test at the Vuelta a Espana in September and, after a delay, UKAD ruled yesterday that it would not be disclosing the letters because it was not in the public interest.

The public might disagree. UKAD may not have charged Wiggins, Team Sky or British Cycling with an anti-doping rule violation but its investigation exposed serious issues with the medical practices at both organisations.

UKAD provided a detailed five-page letter explaining its decision.

“UKAD has concluded that the information you have requested is exempt from disclosure,” said the letter.

“Disclosure would (or at the very least, would be likely to) prejudice the exercise of UKAD’s functions . . . there is a stronger public interest in the need to protect UKAD’s ability to investigate and prosecute improper conduct.”