Azeem Rafiq: 34 Yorkshire MPs and two Metro Mayors write to ECB chairman demanding 'immediate inquiry' into racism allegations

A group of 34 Yorkshire MPs and the region’s two Metro Mayors have written to England and Wales Cricket Board chair Tom Harrison demanding an “immediate, comprehensive and independent inquiry” into the Azeem Rafiq racism case.

Labour MP for Leeds North West, Alex Sobel, who has revealed he wrote to Yorkshire chief executive Mark Arthur six weeks ago raising concerns over the club's handling of the Azeem Rafiq case and was frustrated to receive no reply.
David Woolfall/UK Parliament

South Yorkshire Mayor Dan Jarvis and West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin co-signed a stern call for action, joined by a wide cross-party collection of the county’s Westminster cohort, including former Labour leader Ed Miliband, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and prominent backbencher’s Hilary Benn, Yvette Cooper and Andrea Jenkyns.

The letter, addressed directly to Harrison, takes issue with an independent report into Rafiq’s allegations of institutional racism, specifically for determining that repeated use of the word ‘P***’ was consistent with “banter”.

“We find any suggestion that using the word “P***” is “banter” truly abhorrent, but for the formal investigation to make such a conclusion brings the report and the club into disrepute,” it reads.

“As such the report further erodes confidence in YCCC’s commitment to being inclusive to all our communities. We therefore request that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) establish an immediate, comprehensive and independent inquiry into YCCC’s handling of the original allegations and the subsequent investigation.”

Yorkshire recently offered a full apology to their former player but in the same moment announced that no current employees of the club would face any further action.

On Tuesday health secretary Sajid Javid took to Twitter to claim “heads should roll” at Headingley and added that the governing body was “not fit for purpose” if it did not take decisive action.

Sajid Javid tweeted 'heads should roll' at Yorkshire CCC.
Sajid Javid - Twitter

And some of the county’s most prominent political figures have rallied to that cause.

The letter continues: “We maintain the inquiry must be conducted in a timely and transparent manner, with consequences for both the players responsible, and those board members who have failed to address this blatant racism.

“Cricket is an institution in Yorkshire. No matter who you are or where you come from, everyone should be able to enjoy our beloved game. Azeem Rafiq was not afforded the dignity and respect he deserved, it now falls to the ECB to ensure this degrading incident is not repeated. We trust you will treat this matter with the urgency it deserves.”

Yorkshire's Azeem Rafiq celebrates taking the wicket of Middlesex's Nick Gubbins.
John Walton

The ECB only received a full copy of the report into Rafiq’s account last week and has promised a “full regulatory process that is fair to all parties”.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ECB said: “We are conscious about the length of time that Azeem has waited for resolution and the toll that must be taking on his well-being and that of his family. We are sorry that, as a sport, this has not yet been resolved.

“To achieve this, we have secured the services of a QC, along with other external investigatory support to upweight resource around our process. The ECB board has also reaffirmed its commitment to further additional resource, should the investigation require it.”