I WANT HEADS TO ROLL
SAYS JESS VARNISH
JESS VARNISH has called for the entire British Cycling board to resign after ‘shocking’ accusations that they covered up a review into her claims of sexism against former coach Shane Sutton.
The former European champion, 25, is considering legal action after a draft copy of an independent report, seen by Sportsmail, claimed the board had been ‘inept’ and ‘inexcusable’ in handling her case.
Speaking yesterday at her Manchester home, Varnish said: ‘If someone can overturn the findings, facts, they shouldn’t still be there because what else are they going to cover up?
‘It’s shocking and the other athletes shouldn’t be
put in the same position. They have to go. There needs to be an entire overhaul of the board.’
Varnish alleged in this newspaper in April that Sutton told her to ‘get on with having a baby’ after she was axed by British Cycling, a claim he denied.
An internal investigation said the former technical director had used ‘ inappropriate and discriminatory language’, but claimed only one of the nine charges Varnish made against Sutton had been proven.
An independent report has now claimed the board ‘reversed’ the initial findings to suit their own agenda. British Cycling chair Jonathan Brown- ing was only appointed last month, but Varnish said he should still walk because he was on the board as a non-executive director when it ‘sanitised’ the report into her claims.
She said: ‘Whatever his position now, he made those decisions. We now know the truth and he surely can’t be in there after falsifying a report . . . But having been involved with British Cycling, I wasn’t surprised at all, which is shocking and sad.’
Varnish believes UK Sport must reconsider supporting Brian Cookson’s bid to be re- elected as president of the UCI world governing body.
And she could instruct her lawyers to take action when the independent report into British Cycling’s world-class performance programme is published. ‘I’ve asked my lawyers to take a really close, in-depth look at it to see if I have grounds to take this further,’ she said.
‘But this has never been about money for me. It’s just about doing what’s right and fair. Hopefully this will have an effect on other athletes in the future.’
Browning said last night: ‘I would be happy to meet Jess and discuss any concerns she has about the independent review or any other matter.’
The review panel issued a statement last night regretting that their draft report had been leaked. It said: ‘The publication of the report took place without our knowledge or authorisation. (The panel) is yet to finalise the draft report, the contents of which may change.’