GB chiefs hire spin doctor as crisis deepens

BRITISH CYCLING are bracing themselves for a deepening of the current crisis with the publication of an independent UK Sport report that insiders say is ‘damning’. The under-fire national governing body have responded by turning to Paddy Harverson, a crisis PR expert who previously worked as communications secretary for the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. He was earlier director of communications at Manchester United. After enduring a bruising testimony from 2008 Olympic champion Nicole Cooke at a parliamentary hearing this week, during which she complained that British Cycling was ‘run by men for men’, British Cycling officials are preparing for more criticism from the UK Sport-funded independent review. While the report is not due to be published until next month, copies have been circulated. Officials at British Cycling and beleaguered Team Sky boss Sir Dave Brailsford (above) are said to fear it could be hugely damaging. Commissioned by UK Sport and British Cycling, a panel that includes former England rugby coach Stuart Lancaster was charged with reviewing the culture of British Cycling in the wake of allegations of discrimination, bullying and mismanagement. It appears to have been widened to cover the relationship between British Cycling and Team Sky in the wake of the Sir Bradley Wiggins medical package controversy that is now the focus of a UK AntiDoping investigation. Senior figures are understood to be considering their positions after being told of the report’s contents.