Bradley Wiggins says the outcome of the inquiry would in any other circumstances be seen as a finding of unqualified innocence on his part. But the British MP Damian Collins says the outcome exonerates nobody, adding that fact was unacceptable.
Damian Collins MP says cloud hangs over Bradley Wiggins
The British politician who chairs the parliamentary group that has been examined allegations of doping in British cycling says nobody has been exonerated by the conclusion of the UK Anti Doping (UKAD) inquiry.
Yesterday UKAD said its investigation into a jiffy bag containing a medical product delivered to Team Sky in France in 2011 had concluded.
It added it had been unable to confirm or refute claims by British Cycling and Team Sky that the bag simply contained an over the counter decongestant, not banned for use by cyclists.
UKAD had reached its finding because neither had maintained a record of what was in the bag.
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Bradley Wiggins issued a statement saying he was disappointed the outcome was not being seen as a clear exoneration of him.
He said he was not surprised no doping charges would follow because no doping had ever occurred.
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And he suggested had Team Sky and British Cycling kept proper medical records – including what was in the bag taken from Britain to France – the inquiry would never have even started.
Wiggins is now considering his legal options. He added he would not be making any further public comment at this time.
Damian Collins MP, chair of the Culture Media and Sport select committee, said the outcome of the UKAD inquiry into Team Sky and British Cycling was “not an exoneration of anyone”.
As a result, he said a “cloud now hangs over one of our greatest Olympians”.
“I think it clearly shows that UKAD does not have the powers it needs and I've been very clear on this,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
“UKAD currently relies on people's willingness to cooperate. It has no legal authority to compel anyone to speak.
“This is not an exoneration of anyone,” he added and he also believed doping should not become a criminal offence.
“What’s clear from UKAD's statement is if Sky and British Cycling had kept proper medical records, this could have been wrapped up a lot sooner.
“It is unacceptable. A cloud now hangs over one of our greatest Olympians.”
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