At a Board meeting on Tuesday night British Gymnastics made the decision to step aside to allow UK Sport and Sport England to co-commission the Independent Review it first established following concerns raised by British gymnasts about mistreatment.

British Gymnastics originally announced the commissioning of a QC led Independent Review last week. However, to remove any doubt of the Review’s integrity or independence, British Gymnastics has asked that UK Sport and Sport England now co-commission it.

Commenting on the decision, Jane Allen, CEO of British Gymnastics, said: “It is vital the Review is unequivocally independent with full resources to effectively deal with concerns raised by gymnasts. In the past week, the complexities have increased, and it is clear to retain the trust of the gymnastics community we have decided to recuse ourselves from any management of the Review. Our priority is to learn the lessons and ensure the welfare of all those within gymnastics. By stepping aside, we hope the Review can now proceed unimpeded.”

The Review is intended to recognise the importance of the concerns raised and the determination of UK Sport and Sport England to jointly investigate those concerns, and ensure there are actions identified to bring about positive change,  by way of a process that is independent and impartial.