Stuart Lancaster part of panel to probe British Cycling culture

Former England rugby coach Stuart Lancaster is one of the high-profile names to join an expert panel put together to review the culture of British Cycling.

Lancaster is joined by John Mehrzad – a barrister and independent chair of the Football Association’s (FA) Anti-Discrimination Panel – and Olympic bronze medal-winning hockey player Annie Panter.

The panel, which is being overseen by British Rowing chair Annamarie Phelps, is expected to confirm another member, and may bring in “additional expertise”.

Phelps said the panel had the “skills and experience” to “conduct a thorough and robust review”.

Last month British Cycling and UK Sport revealed their intention to launch the review into the “climate and culture” of the organisation amid high-profile allegations of sexism levelled at former technical director Shane Sutton.

Although the review is separate from to investigation into Sutton’s alleged conduct, it will seek out if British Cycling harbours any form of bullying and “fundamental behavioural issues”.

Submissions have already been received and the review will start immediately, concluding after the Rio Olympics this summer. The panel will provide a report for British Cycling and UK Sport, which will be published thereafter.

“I would encourage anyone still considering making a submission to do so, in complete confidence, to Sport Resolutions UK,” said Phelps.

Sport Resolutions UK is an independent, not-for-profit dispute resolutions service that will administer the review.