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BHA launches major integrity review
By Bill Barber
THE BHA has officially launched a review of its integrity provision and the integrity department's structure.
The department was the subject of criticism in the wake of the collapsed case involving former trainer Kate Walton among others and the failed prosecution of jockey Richie McGrath and in-running punter and former owner Mark Aspey.
The major review is designed to retain the faith of British Racing that the BHA is best equipped to continue its role of effectively policing the sport.
The BHA said key elements covered by the review would include the timeliness of investigations; case management and processing of applications; communication; - (or LACK of it
- my insertion) - participant engagement and education; internal processes and performance monitoring and technological threats and opportunities.
The BHA's director of integrity, legal and risk Adam Brickell said:[ "It has been widely recognised for a number of years that the BHA integrity unit is a model for others to follow, particularly in the areas of intelligence management and betting and race monitoring.
"The BHA is one of the few organisations internationally - including sports' governing bodies, regulators and law enforcement - with the willingness and ability to investigate and prosecute betting-related corruption,
and one of the very few with a track record of bringing corruption cases to successful prosecutions.
"However, it is important that we always seek to improve, particularly in response to legitimate stakeholder concerns. It is crucial that the BHA integrity department has the confidence and support of the industry in relation to the way it operates, and that there is trust that we are doing all that we should to police the sport appropriately."
The BHA said the review would focus on consultation and would draw upon previous integrity reviews.
The former commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Sir Paul Stephenson, who takes up his role as independent regulatory director on July 1, will act as a consultant and project sponsor.
Brickell added: "I am very much looking forward to spending time meeting with, and listening to the views of, the various organisations and individuals whose opinions will form an integral part of the review.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to ensure there is a better understanding of what the integrity department does for the sport on a day to day basis, and of the challenges it faces. Indeed, this process has already started with input from some stakeholders already having been received."
The BHA said it was envisaged that the review would be completed before the end of the year
By Bill Barber
THE BHA has officially launched a review of its integrity provision and the integrity department's structure.
The department was the subject of criticism in the wake of the collapsed case involving former trainer Kate Walton among others and the failed prosecution of jockey Richie McGrath and in-running punter and former owner Mark Aspey.
The major review is designed to retain the faith of British Racing that the BHA is best equipped to continue its role of effectively policing the sport.
The BHA said key elements covered by the review would include the timeliness of investigations; case management and processing of applications; communication; - (or LACK of it
- my insertion) - participant engagement and education; internal processes and performance monitoring and technological threats and opportunities.The BHA's director of integrity, legal and risk Adam Brickell said:[ "It has been widely recognised for a number of years that the BHA integrity unit is a model for others to follow,
particularly in the areas of intelligence management and betting and race monitoring."The BHA is one of the few organisations internationally - including sports' governing bodies, regulators and law enforcement - with the willingness and ability to investigate and prosecute betting-related corruption,
and one of the very few with a track record of bringing corruption cases to successful prosecutions."However, it is important that we always seek to improve, particularly in response to legitimate stakeholder concerns. It is crucial that the BHA integrity department has the confidence and support of the industry in relation to the way it operates, and that there is trust that we are doing all that we should to police the sport appropriately."
The BHA said the review would focus on consultation and would draw upon previous integrity reviews.
The former commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Sir Paul Stephenson, who takes up his role as independent regulatory director on July 1, will act as a consultant and project sponsor.
Brickell added: "I am very much looking forward to spending time meeting with, and listening to the views of, the various organisations and individuals whose opinions will form an integral part of the review.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to ensure there is a better understanding of what the integrity department does for the sport on a day to day basis, and of the challenges it faces. Indeed, this process has already started with input from some stakeholders already having been received."
The BHA said it was envisaged that the review would be completed before the end of the year
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all pish and wind
how can they possibly police that much racing and anyway every one they find highlights how futile it can be to follow 90% of racing so they are not going to drive more away are they so the more they find the less faith you have if you think about it until they slash the fixture list the game keeps dying |
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Who is this Adam Brickell? He is without doubt a comedy genius who should seriously consider quitting the BHA for a life of stand-up.
"The BHA is one of the few organisations internationally - including sports' governing bodies, regulators and law enforcement - with the willingness and ability to investigate and prosecute betting-related corruption, and one of the very few with a track record of bringing corruption cases to successful prosecutions". Horse racing is the only sport I can name where the governing body will not pursue cheats who defraud their own customers in the courts (the one high profile occasion they did what a mess it was). Instead they hand out paltry bans and when the smoke clears welcome the cheats back to the sport with open arms, cheats who bring the sport into disrepute by their ongoing participation. The BHA is an institutionally incompetent body that has absolutely no idea how to administer or police the sport. Any future integrity department should be totally independent from the BHA (bar funding) and have a remit to pursue ALL corruption cases in the courts (with the BHA serving life bans to those found guilty)... |
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@Aviboyd -- be careful what you wish for. You seem to be saying that only cheats against whom there is enough evidence for a successful criminal prosecution should be pursued.
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The BHA needs investigating by someone independent. A clueless, out of touch gravy train (NAP).
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Ramruna - fair point, could have been worded better. One would of course expect a BHA hearing prior to any Court action, with an understanding that a 'guilty' verdict would result in the case being referred to the Police (which I think I am right in saying does not happen currently). It is difficult to think of a greater deterrent to those within racing contemplating corruption than one of their colleagues serving time at HMP. It is impossible to imagine this scenario becoming a reality unless an independent integrity team is employed to manage the process.
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the statement "It has been widely recognised for a number of years that the BHA integrity unit is a model for others to follow, Happy particularly in the areas of intelligence management and betting and race monitoring, is worthy of a mention by a comedian at the Apollo some night, what a load of muck that is, small kids in a creche would not listen or pay heed to the BHA, so what chance of the adults that there supposed to be governing of doing so, there a complete joke and and there continual expertise at catching the very small fish in the pond when there is way bigger to catch in the net is not at all surprising.. I fancy if there was three punters off the street brought in to oversee their integrity dept, instead of the muppets that are in there at present, they would be better policing of things.
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