MPs question cycling chief’s huge pay-off

ONE of British Cycling’s most senior executives, Jonny Clay, has been axed with a six-figure pay-off as part of a reshuffle.

The move will raise more questions over the competence of the governing body which is part-funded by millions of pounds of public money.

It is understood that Damian Collins, MP, chairman of the Parliamentary committee probing the governance of cycling, will write to British Cycling chief executive Julie Harrington, asking why they are paying a senior employee to leave just over a year after being appointed.

Clay, 54, has only been in his current role since January last year and it is understood he has a salary of about £140,000 plus a company car and pension benefits. He was promoted as part of what were supposed to be significant structural long-term reforms.

But despite 17 years’ experience in the organisation, he has suddenly been judged surplus to requirements.

A British Cycling statement announcing Clay will go next month was opaque about the reasons, but said it is part of a process announcing three new posts: integrity and compliance director, cycling delivery director and strategy director.

The statement omitted that Clay was being forced and that he was getting money to go. It quoted Harrington saying he ‘has played an extraordinary role in cycling in this country — as a rider, volunteer and, for the last 17 years as part of British cycling administration.’

The size of Clay’s pay-off is not public but he confirmed to The Mail on Sunday that he has been made redundant and is being paid to leave.

‘In dialogue with Julie we both agreed that there were no roles that would match my interests and experience,’ he said. ‘As my role has been made redundant, I have been compensated accordingly and in line with my contract. The details of the agreement are private but not, I understand, unusual given my seniority.’