Essex appoint QC to steer impartial investigation into historical racism

County responds to allegations from former gamers, in wake of chairman’s resignation

Essex have develop into the second one county membership after Yorkshire to arrange an investigation into historical allegations of racism, with the appointment of Katharine Newton QC to supervise complaints.

Newton is described in a remark from the membership as “an skilled and very popular practitioner who seems ceaselessly within the employment tribunal, Top Court docket and the appellate courts, together with the Court docket of Attraction and the Preferrred Court docket”.

“Ms Newton has over twenty years’ observe in employment legislation and significantly led the investigation into the allegations of race discrimination and bullying in opposition to the chief of the England Ladies soccer crew in 2017,” the remark continues.

“Essex Cricket reiterated that the membership has a zero-tolerance coverage in opposition to racism and any type of discrimination. The appointment of such an eminent prison determine underscores the membership’s resolution that every one allegations, irrespective of once they came about, might be investigated totally and independently.”

Two former gamers have since spoken out about their remedy at Essex, with the Jamaica-born rapid bowler Maurice Chambers telling the Cricketer that he was once many times abused by way of two gamers and a senior trainer, and taunted with bananas.

Zoheb Sharif, a former batter, informed Sky Information he have been nicknamed “the Bomber” after making his debut within the wake of the 11th of September assaults in 2001, and informed he would by no means be picked for the primary XI.

In a remark issued based on Chambers’ allegation, Essex leader govt John Stephenson stated he was once “extraordinarily disillusioned to listen to of additional historical racial allegations” which made “distressing studying”. Not one of the folks had been nonetheless concerned with the membership, he added.

In step with different golf equipment within the wake of Azeem Rafiq’s revelations, Essex has arrange a reporting channel for somebody who needs to discuss their studies with the membership.

Somebody involved can touch the membership, anonymously if they want, by way of emailing equality@essexcricket.org.united kingdom.