Yorkshire’s anti-discrimination hotline will be in operation from Monday
Yorkshire have set up an independent whistleblowing hotline, amid the ongoing racism scandal sparked by allegations from former player Azeem Rafiq that have rocked cricket.
The hotline will begin operating on Monday and it will allow people to register a formal complaint about any form of discrimination or harassment that they have suffered as a result of any act or omission from the club.
It will be headed up by Mohinderpal Sethi QC of Littleton Chambers, who is a "leading expert in discrimination and whistleblowing in the world of elite sports".
The club's new chairman Lord Kamlesh Patel said on Friday evening: "We need to listen to those who have experienced discrimination or harassment to help guide how we move forward as a club.
"Since my appointment, I have urged others to come forward to share their experiences and I thank all of those who have spoken up so far.
"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."
Yorkshire's chief executive Mark Arthur resigned on Thursday, joining former chairman Roger Hutton and board members Hanif Malik and Stephen Willis in stepping down amid the scandal.
Director of cricket Martyn Moxon is currently signed off from his role with a "stress related illness" and head coach Andrew Gale has been suspended pending an investigation into a historic anti-semitic tweet.
"I welcome the opportunity to lead this important independent investigation process," Sethi said about the hotline.
"Those who report their complaints to the whistleblowing hotline should feel reassured that these matters will be addressed in a careful and impartial manner."
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