Andy Ward to lead review into UK Anti-Doping's handling of Dr Mark Bonar affair
Tuesday 5 April 2016 17:07, UK
Recently-retired Assistant Chief Constable Andy Ward will lead the independent review into UK Anti-Doping's handling of the Dr Mark Bonar affair.
Ward, who left his post with Merseyside Police in January, has been appointed by the UKAD Board, with the agreement of Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport John Whittingdale.
The inquiry has been set up following allegations in The Sunday Times last weekend that Bonar prescribed performance-enhancing drugs to 150 athletes.
The newspaper claimed UKAD was given information about the doctor's alleged doping activities two years ago but failed to take action.
UKAD chairman David Kenworthy said on the organisation's website: "Andy Ward is a strong choice to carry out the review into UK Anti-Doping's handling of intelligence in relation to Dr Mark Bonar.
"He is independent of sport so will bring a fresh and uninfluenced perspective, whilst his extensive experience of intelligence handling will be critical to the review.
"Andy's role will be to examine how the information supplied by the sportsperson was handled and whether proper procedures were followed. Andy will also be asked to make any recommendations to improve processes in the future.
"As a publicly-funded body, it is correct that UKAD be held to account for any actions it takes and the team is very supportive of, and will fully cooperate with, the review process."
The storm caused by the allegations has put pressure on UKAD's chief executive Nicole Sapstead but she insists her organisation welcomes the investigation.
"UK Anti-Doping is extremely concerned by the allegations made in the Sunday Times," Sapstead said in an interview with Sky News.
"We will be investigating fully those allegations but we are now the subject of an independent review and it would be deeply inappropriate for me to say anything further at this time."
