Complainant in Ulster Rugby sexism row stands by action

AN official who reported a former Ulster Rugby president over “inappropriate remarks” made at a club dinner was himself punished, it has emerged.

Magherafelt man Graffin Parke, who served as 2017/18 Ulster Branch President, sparked controversy after he was accused of making sexist comments at Cooke Rugby Football Club’s annual dinner last October.

An investigation was launched by Ulster Rugby following complaints about the incident. Mr Parke apologised and he was later suspended from representing the Ulster Branch at any match or function until June 2019.

However, the Cooke Rugby official who complained to the Ulster Branch was suspended from his position on the club committee for two months for a “breach of external communication protocols”.

The club said this was because he had failed to disclose that he had contacted the Ulster Branch about the incident at two committee meetings.

Graham Chipperfield told the BBC he is also a member of the Ulster Branch Women’s Committee and emailed its chair about Mr Parke’s “inappropriate” comments as a courtesy.

He said: “In my naivety — and this was pointed out to me by members of the committee — by speaking to the chair, that was the Ulster Branch.”

Despite the disciplinary action, Mr Chipperfield said he would “stand up and do it again”.