FREEMAN FACES TESTING TIME AT HIS TRIBUNAL

RICHARD FReemAn is set to face questions over ‘topping up’ a rider’s testosterone levels and the medical records of a Tour de France winner at his fit-to-practise tribunal. On a dramatic day in manchester, concerns were also expressed over the mental health of the former Team Sky and British Cycling doctor after he attempted to take a laptop which may contain details relevant to the case out of the building. Freeman, who admits ordering banned testosterone in may 2010 but denies he did so knowing or believing it was to improve the performance of an athlete, is being cross-examined by Simon Jackson QC, on behalf of the General medical Council (GmC), which brought the case. Freeman is to be given his old laptop — the fourth which has featured in the hearing — to enable him to fully answer questions over the coming days. And when the 60-year-old asked why he needed the Apple device, his barrister, mary O’Rourke QC, told him it was because he was likely to be asked about the ‘records for a rider whose level jumped’, a ‘suggestion they had some sort of infusion or some sort of testosterone top up’ and also ‘concerns over a Tour de France winner’. It is not known whether these issues are linked. ‘I have given just 45 minutes of evidence this morning,’ said an emotional Freeman. ‘I came down to room 4.7 at lunchtime and there were three lawyers sat down saying they have wiggled the lead (charger) and it won’t go on. I tried and it wouldn’t go on.’ Arguing the day’s proceedings should be brought to a premature end, O’Rourke said she had ‘concerns with her client’s performance’ during the morning session. ‘There was an incident where he tried to take that laptop, put it in his own bag and walk away with it,’ she added. ‘Simon eastwood (defence team) had to intervene. He said he should not give any more evidence today. I am worried about him.’ But Freeman said: ‘I didn’t snatch the bag. I put it in the travelling case it came in because I was frustrated. I was going to take it away and charge it.’ Another, working lead was found but the panel agreed the hearing should end early.