Jockeys’ group calls for end to probe into Dunne case

The Professional Jockeys Association has called on the British Horseracing Authority to "bring to an end" its investigation into Bryony Frost's allegations against fellow rider Robbie Dunne – because it believes a fair hearing has become impossible.

Documentswereleakedto anewspaper,andpublished overthepasttwoweeks,and the PJA believes the matter therefore cannot now proceed "however unsatisfactory that is".

In the leaked documents, it emerged Dunne had been chargedwith"conductprejudicial to the integrity or good reputation" of racing. Days later, it was revealed a second complaint was made by a female rider to the BHA over a safeguarding incident involving a male jockey.

An investigation has been ongoingformorethanayear – a length of time which the PJA also called "unacceptable.thepjastatementread: "Thebhahasbeenawareof apotentialdatabreachsince August, and reported itself at that time to the Information Commissioners Office. It is vital that the investigation into the data breach is concluded as a matter of urgency.

"Now that material has been leaked to the media, and the information leaked is the charge letter and accompanying documentationthatshouldonlyhave been available to the BHA, Robbie Dunne and his legal advisers, a fair hearing is impossible.

"The matter cannot now be permitted to proceed andwecalluponthebhato bring this matter to an end”

PJA chief executive Paul Struther said: "Any individual subjected to behaviour that might constitute a breach of the Rules of Racing or the PJA'S Code Conduct must have the right to pursue a complaint, and thatrightmustberespected.

“Equally, an individual investigated for potential offences under the Rules of Racing is entitled to be subjected to a fair process and have a fair hearing.

It is surely now impossible for that to happen in this case, however unsatisfactory that is for both parties," added Struther.