Cricket is at a watershed moment over racism, MPs are told

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee today took evidence from former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq and others on the subject of racism in cricket.

In a sometimes emotional session, Azeem Rafiq described the racism he experienced at YCCC, both from other players and officials, asserting the use of racist language could never be considered banter, as had been claimed. One example was the use of the name 'Kevin' by Gary Ballance to describe any person of colour. He also particularly criticised Martyn Moxon.

He felt racism was institutional in cricket generally, not just at Yorkshire. The ECB had to take responsibility as regulators, rather than palming the issue off to other bodies. People who had excused racist behaviour should be held to account, not just the perpetrators.

He had found the Professional Cricketers' Association inept and had shown no interest in his personal problems. He was also certain that the problem applied to many other cricket clubs, including Leicestershire, where his sister worked. But he had had only good experiences when he went to Derbyshire for a month. 

Replying to questions by Alex Davies-Jones, he was sceptical about the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, chaired by Cindy Butts. "We have seen it all before." Action was needed, not another inquiry. He called for a whistleblower hotline and real accountability. There needed to be organic change, not tokenism.

He thought YCCC had been left with no choice but to take action, but he did not think that attitudes had really changed. 

The second witness, Roger Hutton, former Chair of Yorkshire CCC, said he was deeply disappointed that Mark Arthur and Martyn Moxon had turned down invitations to give evidence to the committee. He revealed that Mr Arthur had suggested that the investigation into Azeem Rafiq's complaints could be abandoned. There had been resistance to seeing Rafiq as a victim or to apologise. 

On the role of former YCCC chair Colin Graves and the Colin Graves Trust, which had lent substantial funds to the club, Mr Hutton said it was wrong that a major creditor should be involved in major decisions. 

Lord Patel of Bradford, the new chair of YCCC (who was asked to step out of the public gallery to give his views) said the problem was cultural and action would have to be taken quickly. Players would have to be part of the solution. "Ownership" of the problem was crucial. 

Roger Hutton said he was shocked to learn there had been instruction not to pick too many Asian players. Regarding the report by YCCC, it would have been helpful if the report had been published but he understood why it was not, as employees of the club had taken part in the inquiry voluntarily. He was not aware of the Fletcher report into racism at YCCC from 2014. He agreed with Kevin Brennan that YCCC was institutionally racist. 

The third panel of witnesses comprised Tom Harrison, Chief Executive, England and Wales Cricket Board; Kate Miller, Chief Diversity and Communications Officer, England and Wales Cricket Board; Meena Botros, Director of Legal and Integrity, England and Wales Cricket Board; Alan Dickinson, Non-Executive Director, England and Wales Cricket Board.  

Tom Harrison said the ECB had not stepped in earlier because of its complex role as the governing body, promoter and regulator of cricket. It was normal practice for county clubs to perform their own inquiries. 

Meena Botros said it had been Mr Hutton who had wanted an international law firm to carry out an investigation. The ECB was asked if it would put someone on the panel to look at the findings and the ECB had said that would not be appropriate as it was a Yorkshire investigation and the ECB had its role as a regulator. 

Committee chairman Julian Knight asked if Mr Hutton had been lying when he had told the committee earlier that he had asked the ECB to conduct an investigation. Mr Harrison clarified that the ECB had turned down a request to 'partner' in an investigation but would take steps post-investigation. He agreed to provide the committee with all correspondence on the issue. 

In relation to Essex, Mr Botros explained the different circumstances in that the ECB started its regulatory investigation at a time when the club was not conducting an investigation. 

Mr Harrison agreed with Mr Knight that the ECB's role should never again allow a club to behave in the way YCCC had done and conduct its own investigations. There had been a litany of issues to be dealt with to help improve the processes in the future. 

Damian Green contested there was an inherent conflict of interests in the ECB's roles. Mr Harrison said there were advantages to having a single body with all the roles. Mr Botros explained the role of the ECB's regulatory body, adding that it was appointed by the ECB itself. Asked by Julie Elliott if that was an appropriate system, Mr Harrison commented that "it works." 

Ms Elliott went on to question the ECB about Mr Hutton's former employment at the international law firm which had been tasked with investigating YCCC. She contested that the ECB should not have agreed to that arrangement. Mr Botros agreed it was "not a good look" but the ECB had not felt it appropriate to intervene. 

Questioned whether the ECB was fit for purpose, Mr Harrison said it was but lessons were being learned, not least to make cricket an equal-rights sport. Kate Miller explained that funding was received from various bodies, including Sport England, to drive diversity initiatives and she mentioned some initiatives that been put in place. Mr Harrison said the ECB was aware of the importance of the discrimination and equality agenda, but had "struggled with getting the first-class game to wake up." It was refreshing that Azeem Rafiq was willing to help the ECB push through reforms. 

In answer to Julian Knight's contention that racism in cricket was getting worse, Tom Harrison said there were signs of best practice happening in parts of the country and the issues raised in Yorkshire were not necessarily occurring everywhere. 

Replying to Clive Efford about lessons that might be learnt from the Cindy Butts inquiry, Alan Dickinson said the ECB was hoping she would be gathering evidence from around the country. Kate Miller added that the commission would be expected to report back and hold the ECB to account. 

Clive Efford said the Fletcher report had exposed a lack of opportunities for South Asian cricketers in Yorkshire and asked what the ECB had done about it. Ms Miller explained initiatives taken since 2014, but Mr Efford said there was still a lack of diversity in high-level cricket.

Mr Harrison said the "handling of the report speaks to institutional racism." Mr Brennan contested that by that comment, any reasonable person would conclude that Mr Harrison did not agree with Mr Hutton that YCCC was institutionally racist. 

Mr Harrison agreed with Alex Davies Jones that this was a watershed moment for cricket. In terms of funding, Mr Dickinson said the ECB would spend "whatever it takes" to ensure there were improvements in the future.