Yorkshire County Cricket Club whistleblowing hotline opened
The whistleblowing hotline that Yorkshire County Cricket Club are setting up in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq Racism scandal has opened.
At his first conference on Monday new chair Lord Kamlesh Patel announced the club would be setting up the hotline as a 'safe place' for anyone who has suffered racism at the club to come forward.
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 a dedicated email address.
Mohinderpal Sethi QC of Littleton Chambers has been appointed to lead the independent investigation process.Professor The Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, Chair of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, said:
“We need to listen to those who have experienced discrimination or harassment to help guide how we move forward as a Club. Since my appointment, I have urged others to come forward to share their experiences and I thank all of those who have spoken up so far.
“Setting up an independent whistleblowing hotline will allow there to be a safe space for people to come forward, secure in the knowledge that their complaint will be taken seriously, and I am happy to say that we have been able to put this in place within the week.
“Mohinderpal Sethi QC is eminently qualified in this area, and brings a wealth of experience as well as being completely independent from the Club.
“We are very pleased that he has taken on the role, which is a vital first step towards ensuring that we can move forward from our past, to hear from those who have suffered, and to take action. I am determined to make the Club an inclusive and diverse environment for everyone with a passion for County cricket”.
Mohinderpal Sethi QC said:
“I welcome the opportunity to lead this important independent investigation process. Those who report their complaints to the Whistleblowing Hotline should feel reassured that these matters will be addressed in a careful and impartial manner.”