The Club today makes the following comments as part of its regular updates.
Select Committee
At a formal meeting, the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee will be hearing oral evidence tomorrow morning (Tuesday 16 November) on Sport Governance and issues in relation to the Club.
Professor The Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, Chair of Yorkshire County Club, said:
“We welcome the formal meeting of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on sport governance, and I will be listening to the session with great interest to help us understand the past and address the many challenges which have come to light.
“It is right that the issues which were initially brought up by Azeem Rafiq, and the way in which they were handled, are properly examined by the Committee. We have provided the Committee with a copy of the full report, given its legal interest in the case.
“It is clear that we have handled this issue badly and the investigation was flawed. Azeem giving evidence is an important moment and, as a whistleblower, he should be praised for speaking up. I have said from the outset that we need to listen and to learn in order to create urgent change at Yorkshire Country Cricket Club”.
Adil Rashid Statement
In response to the recent statement made by Adil Rashid:
Professor The Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, Chair of Yorkshire County Club, said:
“I am aware of the recent statement from Adil Rashid, and I welcome his courage in speaking up at what is a difficult and distressing time for all those who love this Club and the sport of cricket.
“It is essential that those who have experienced or witnessed racism, discrimination and abuse are able to come forward to share their experiences.
“I have been in touch with Adil personally today so that we can talk through the issues as soon as he is ready and able.”
Whistleblowing hotline
Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s independent whistleblowing hotline is now operational.
Anyone wishing to lodge a formal complaint about any form of discrimination or harassment that they have suffered as a result of any act or omission of the Club will be able to do so using the dedicated email address: [email protected]
More information about the hotline can be found here
Mohinderpal Sethi QC of Littleton Chambers has been appointed to lead the independent investigation process which will consider any allegations that are lodged through the hotline.
Mr Sethi QC will be announcing the terms of reference for his investigation process in due course and these will be updated to the website page.
Mr Sethi QC is Head of the Employment Team at Littleton Chambers and Chair of the Employment Law Bar Association. He is a leading expert in discrimination and whistleblowing in the world of elite sports, and recently conducted an independent investigation for British Gymnastics into complaints brought by Olympians.
