Concerns over Sutton raised four years ago
BRITISH CYCLING stand accused of turning a blind eye to alleged aggressive behaviour and abuse of power by former technical director Shane Sutton when concerns were raised almost four years ago as part of a post-london 2012 review. Three individuals who contributed to the report confirmed to Sportsmail they raised concerns about Sutton’s conduct during informal interviews with management consultant Peter King, who compiled the report. Sutton was later promoted to the top coaching role at British Cycling. The interviews, carried out in the autumn of 2012, were given anonymously. King, British Cycling chief executive until 2008, did not write down the names of those who contributed as he jotted down notes. He handed his report to British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake in november 2012. Jeremy Hayes, a former BMX Olympic development coach, says he relayed a number of episodes where he felt Sutton had acted inappropriately towards him. Hayes claimed Sutton made his life hell for nine years. He claimed he twice reported him to the British Cycling human resources department for inappropriate conduct. ‘I did raise concerns about Shane to the review,’ said Hayes. ‘He made my life hell for eight or nine years, spreading rumours, untrue rumours about me. But I don’t think anything was done about it.’ Another source told Sportsmail he had reported an incident involving Sutton being unnecessarily aggressive to King as part of the review. ‘I told them that during the pre-london 2012 training camp in newport, Shane had been in a slanging match with (former British Cycling psychologist) Steve Peters,’ said the source. ‘I also said I had witnessed Shane swearing at two other members of staff. I also raised concerns about British Cycling money being used to pay for Sutton’s business-class flights when the team were only flying economy class.’
A spokesman for British Cycling said: ‘British Cycling conducted a comprehensive structural review after london 2012 to look at how we could build on that success.
‘The report will now be made available to the independent review led by UK Sport. Until the review is concluded, we cannot comment any further.’
King said: ‘There was a report done, undertaken by me on a brief from Ian Drake.
In order to do that report I spoke to the majority of the athletes, coaches, support staff and managers and a lot of things were said to me, which are confidential.
‘Out of that series of conversations came a report with some recommendations which I gave to Ian Drake. There were concerns about a wide range of things, but not specific allega- tions of bullying or corruption.’
Meanwhile, Britain’s most successful track cyclist in history, Sir Chris Hoy, gave his thanks to Sutton, who resigned this week after allegations made to Sportsmail of sexism and discrimination against disabled athletes.
‘I want to pay tribute to Shane for what he’s achieved for British Cycling and for me personally over the years,’ said Hoy.
‘I have never met anyone who gave so much to their role within any team and who cared so much for the performance of the riders.
‘Shane expected 100 per cent commitment from every member of the team regardless of their role and he led by example in that respect.
‘As a coach, his uncompromising approach yielded unparalleled results for the gB team and his contribution to my career and the entire British Cycling success story was outstanding.’