Ex-England rugby coach Stuart Lancaster joins British Cycling review panel

Ex-England rugby coach Stuart Lancaster joins British Cycling review panel

Former England rugby union coach Stuart Lancaster has been appointed to the UK Sport panel conducting an independent review of British Cycling in the wake of allegations of discrimination and bullying at the national team.

Lancaster, who left his position after England’s disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign last autumn, is joined on the panel, chaired by British Rowing boss Annamarie Phelps, by Olympic hockey medallist and Goldman Sachs trader Annie Panter, and sports lawyer John Mehrzad. One position on the panel remains vacant.

The review, which will examine claims of discrimination and bullying with a specific focus on British Cycling’s World Class Performance Programme, was ordered last month after the resignation of the governing body’s technical director, Shane Sutton.

> Details of review into British Cycling announced

Phelps said: “This expert panel has the range of skills and experience to enable us to conduct a thorough and robust review.”

“The panel will work swiftly and diligently to assess the evidence and compile a report in the interest of the sport.”

“I would encourage anyone still considering making a submission to do so, in complete confidence, to Sport Resolutions UK.”

In its statement announcing the new appointees, UK Sport said: “Submissions have already been received and the review will get underway immediately and conclude following the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games, to minimise the disruption to British Cycling’s final preparations for Rio, while allowing athletes and support personnel the opportunity to play a full role in the review.”

It added that the review’s findings and recommendations would be published both by UK Sport and British Cycling, and would ensure the confidentiality of those contributing to it.