Cross party group of MPs call for independent inquiry into racism report by Yorkshire County Cricket Club
The group of MPs said the handling of player Azeem Rafiq's allegations by the Club were "abhorrent"
Last updated 3rd Nov 2021
A group of cross-party MPs have signed a joint letter to the England and Wales cricket board following the racist allegations towards Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
It follows long-running racist allegations from player Azeem Rafiq with his account of his time at the club first coming to light more than a year ago.
But recent developments commanded the attention of Yorkshire's MPs who are calling on the England and Wales Cricket Board to lead an inquiring into the Club's handling of the allegations after they said in a report that it was "banter".
The letter, headed by South Yorkshire Mayor and Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis, said:
"We are writing following the recent reports of the flawed investigation by Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) into serious allegations of racism made by Azeem Rafiq.
"We find any suggestion that using the word "Paki" is "banter" truly abhorrent, but for the formal investigation to make such a conclusion brings the report and the club into disrepute. As such the report further erodes confident in YCCC's commitment to being inclusive to all our communities.
"We therefore request that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) establish an immediate, comprehensive and independent inquiring into YCCC's handling of the original allegations and the subsequent investigation. We maintain the inquiry must be conducted in a timely and transparent manner, with consequences for both the players responsible, and those board members who have failed to address this blatant racism.
"Cricket is an institution in Yorkshire. No matter who you are or where you come from, everyone should be able to enjoy our beloved game. Azeem Rafiq was not afforded the dignity and respect he deserved, it now falls to the ECB to ensure this degrading incident is not repeated."
Earlier today Health secretary Sajid Javid said "heads should roll" at Yorkshire amid mounting political pressure surrounding Azeem Rafiq's long-running allegations of institutional racism at the club.
Later, a Downing Street spokesperson representing Prime Minister Boris Johnson followed up Javid's remarks by urging the England and Wales Cricket Board to "investigate this thoroughly and quickly" and "take action where needed".
Javid, the first British Pakistani to head a government department in 2014, posted on Twitter: "P***" is not banter. Heads should roll at Yorkshire CCC. If @ECB_cricket doesn't take action it's not fit for purpose."
The letter was signed by: Hillary Benn for Leeds Central, Olivia Blake for Sheffield Hallam, Clive Betts for Sheffield South East, Paul Blomfield for Sheffield Central, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Miriam Cates for Penistone and Stocksbridge, Yvette Cooper for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford, Nick Fletcher for Don Valley, Louise Haigh for Sheffield Heeley, Emma Hardy for Hull West and Hessle, Kevin Hollinrake for Thirsk and Malton, Andrea Jenkyns for Morley and Outwood, Kim Leadbeater for Batley and Spen, Rachel Maskell for York Central, Ed Miliband for Doncaster North, Rachel Reeves for Leeds West, Alec Shelbrooke for Elmet and Rothwell, Alexander Stafford for Rother Valley, Jon Trickett for Hemsworth, Dame Rosie Winterton for Doncaster Central, Richard Burgon for Leeds East, Sarah Champion for Rotherham, Judith Cummings for Bradford South, Gill Furniss for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, Fabian Hamilton for Leeds North East, John Healey for Wentworth and Dearne, Imran Hussain for Bradford East, Dame Diana Johnson for Kingston upon Hull North, Holly Lynch for Halifax, Jason McCartney for Colne Valley, Stephanie Peacock for Barnsley East, Naz Shah for Bradford West, Alex Sobel for Leeds North West, Barry Sheerman for Huddersfield and Karl Turner for Kingston upon Hull East.