Yorkshire set to open independent whistleblowing hotline next week

Lord Patel says it will help guide how the club move forward

Yorkshire County Cricket Club have revealed that they will open an independent whistleblowing hotline for victims of discrimination on Monday.

Lord Patel, who is the new club chair at Yorkshire, announced the creation of the hotline last week and has urged other victims to "come forward and share their experiences".

Yorkshire confirmed the appointment of Mohinderpal Sethi QC to lead the independent investigation, with Patel suggesting that hearing from victims will "guide" how the club "move forward".

In a statement released on Friday, Patel said: "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."

The announcement of the independent whistleblowing hotline opening follows another stormy week at Yorkshire, with a report finding that former player Azeem Rafiq was a victim of "racial harassment and bullying".

Although the county said it would not discipline anyone, chief executive Mark Arthur and chairman Roger Hutton both resigned, with Yorkshire also suspending coach Andrew Gale for a tweet he sent in 2010.

Former Pakistan bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan was the second first-team player to allege racism at Yorkshire, saying "systematic taunting" took place at the club.

Ex-Yorkshire academy players Irfan Amjad and Tabassum Bhatti have also shared their experiences of suffering racism while at the club.

Related links:

• Yorkshire chief executive Mark Arthur resigns over the club’s response to Azeem Rafiq case
• Joe Root breaks silence on Yorkshire racism scandal
• Yorkshire CCC launch investigation after head of HR called supporter ‘a coward’