QRIC stands down third official

A THIRD senior Queensland Racing Integrity Commission official has been stood down from his position following a complaint from a member of the public.

QRIC’s Integrity Regulation Unit boss Norm Torpey has been moved to race day stewarding while the complaint is investigated.

Harness racing chief steward David Farquharson was fired earlier this year after a separate investigation into a complaint made by a member of the public. He is considering legal action and QRIC has refused to comment further until his case is finally decided.

Another senior QRIC member, Jamie Dart, was stood aside last year pending an investigation into a matter from early 2016.

Dart had been the director of stewarding and licensing.

QRIC commissioner Ross Barnett said a fully independent investigation was underway into an allegation against Torpey which dated back before the commission commenced in July last year.

“Mr Torpey has been temporarily reassigned from his role as head of the Integrity Regulation Unit to the race day stewarding department while the complaint against him is investigated,” he said.

“The integrity of the Queensland Racing Industry is of the utmost importance to me and to the commission.

“Any complaints or issues that arise involving our staff are taken very seriously.”

Torpey has been a key figure in raids and investigations on stables in the past few years and is one of the state’s most experienced thoroughbred and harness racing stewards.