Black Country Olympic star Jess Varnish expected to sue UK Sport and British Cycling
Black Country Olympian Jess Varnish is expected sue UK Sport and British Cycling, in what could be a landmark legal case for British athletes.
The BBC reports the 26-year-old’s action will be based on claims she suffered sex discrimination, detriment for whistleblowing, victimisation and unfair dismissal.
Former Halesowen Cycling Club rider Varnish, who competed on the track in the 2012 London Games, was dropped from British Cycling’s elite programme last year.
But her claims against then technical director Shane Sutton led to his resignation, after he was found to have used sexist language toward her.
Varnish claims Sutton told her to “go and have a baby” – an allegation he denies.
It emerged earlier this year Varnish was considering legal action against British Cycling, though the claim has since been expanded to include UK Sport.
An application by the latter organisation to have the case dismissed was rejected by a judge earlier this week, meaning Varnish can now proceed with an employment tribunal.
A preliminary hearing in April next year will determine whether Varnish should be considered as having effectively been an employee of UK Sport and British Cycling when she was competing.
The decision could have serious ramifications for all contracted British athletes funded by UK Sport.
If they are officially deemed to be employees, UK Sport would have to pay pension and national insurance costs. This is currently avoided because athletes are not regarded as members of staff.
