Friday 29 April 2016 11:46, UK
British Cycling has announced an independent review after technical director Shane Sutton was accused of sexism by rider Jess Varnish.
Cycling's national governing body revealed their intentions on Tuesday evening, in conjunction with UK Sport, the umbrella organisation for Olympic and Paralympic sports.
Varnish on Saturday claimed Sutton told her to "go and have a baby" after she was dropped from the Great Britain cycling team.
Sutton and British Cycling denied the allegations and insisted the decision was purely on performance grounds.
But, after Olympic champions Victoria Pendleton, Nicole Cooke and multiple world champion Wendy Houvenaghel spoke out in support of Varnish on Tuesday, British Cycling acted.
A British Cycling statement read: "British Cycling is announcing the formation of an independent review, in conjunction with UK Sport, of the federation's performance programmes following allegations of discriminatory behaviour.
"We are fully committed to the principles and active promotion of equality of opportunity and we must take any such allegations seriously.
"The terms of the review will be announced in due course and no further comment will be made at this stage."
Sky Sports News HQ contacted British Cycling and UK Sport regarding the matter earlier on Tuesday.
British Cycling said they hoped to hold a meeting with Varnish where two independent people will be present - an equalities leader and a board member.
UK Sport revealed they consider the allegation to be serious and urged British Cycling to investigate 'any allegation of sexism'. They stressed that they were not taking sides in the matter.
