Independent review into British Cycling finally complete – but still won’t be published for another month

Several months after it was due to be published, the UK Sport commissioned independent review into the culture of British Cycling is finally complete. PA Sport reports that it has been sent to both UK Sport and British Cycling – although its publication is not expected for at least another month.

In a statement, a UK Sport spokesperson said:

"UK Sport and British Cycling have now received the report from the Independent Review Panel into the climate and culture within the World Class Programme of British Cycling.

"The respective commissioning bodies of UK Sport and British Cycling are now reviewing the report and the panel's recommendations which will be discussed with each respective organisation's boards with a view to publishing the findings and recommendations and a responding statement.

"We are endeavouring to complete this process as soon as is practicable to allow for proper and due consideration of the report."

The review began in April last year in the wake of Jessica Varnish’s claim that Shane Sutton told her to ‘go and have a baby’ and subsequent allegations that he referred to para-cyclists as ‘gimps’ and ‘wobblies’.

It was tasked with looking into all forms of discrimination and bullying, with specific focus on the climate and culture of British Cycling’s World Class Programme, and it was hoped that the five-person panel – led by British Rowing chair Annamarie Phelps – would report by the autumn.

However, the huge amount of information gathered has led to a considerable delay. A Freedom of Information inquiry revealed that there were more than 80 submissions, with almost 60 individuals asking for personal interviews.

Sutton’s interview, carried out just days before the start of the Rio Olympics, apparently lasted for five hours.

An internal British Cycling investigation carried out last year upheld just one of nine charges against Sutton.