Yorkshire County Cricket Club whistleblowing hotline used 36 times in first week

The whistleblowing hotline set up by Yorkshire County Cricket Club in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal has been used by 36 people since it went live a week ago. 

Mohinderpal Sethi QC of Littleton Chambers, who has been appointed to lead the independent investigation process to consider complaints, said all communications received by the email hotline are being reviewed.

Mr Sethi’s team will communicate directly with all of those who have made contact. The club’s chair Lord Kamlesh Patel said the hotline aims to offer a safe place for anyone who has been affected by 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 can do so using a dedicated email address.

Professor The Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, Chair of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, said: “It is essential that those who have experienced or witnessed racism, discrimination and abuse are able to come forward to share their experiences. I thank all of those who have contacted the hotline so far. 

“Lasting and authentic change, particularly in the face of a complex and systemic issue, takes consideration and time, and cannot happen without the voices of those who have suffered. Only through committing to listen, and to believe, those who have bravely shared their experiences – and those still to do so – can we truly understand the scale of the issue.”