‘Doping’ tribunal is put back as Sky’s Freeman fails to turn up
The high-profile medical tribunal of former Team Sky and British Cycling doctor Richard Freeman has been adjourned until 9.30am tomorrow after he failed to appear on the opening day yesterday.
Freeman is facing misconduct charges brought by the General Medical Council (GMC) at an independent tribunal in Manchester. He is accused, among other things, of purchasing testosterone in 2011 with the intention to dope a rider.
On arriving yesterday, Mary O’rourke, Freeman’s QC, requested privacy for an application for an adjournment of 48 hours. Medical practitioners’ tribunals are held in public, but parts can be heard in private, either on health grounds, or in exceptional circumstances.
It was unclear on what grounds the adjournment was requested, but Freeman has suffered with health problems in the past. He failed to turn up when called to a parliamentary select committee hearing in 2017 on grounds of ill health. He provided his evidence in writing to UK Anti-doping’s investigation into a mysterious Jiffy bag. Freeman also pulled out of appearing as a witness for Jess Varnish at her employment tribunal.
Freeman is not required to attend the hearing. It is thought he could submit an application to give evidence via video link. Former British Cycling and Team Sky coach Shane Sutton and doctor Steve Peters are expected to give evidence.