Bradley Wiggins has come out swinging saying the anonymous witness making allegations against him is acting with malice and is deliberately trying to smear him.
Bradley Wiggins BBC TV interview with Dan Roan
In an interview with BBC sports editor Dan Roan, Bradley Wiggins has categorically denied allegations against him contained in a new report.
The findings, in a report by Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee, allege Wiggins took triamcinolone under TUE to gain an advantage and not to treat illness; as it is permitted.
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Specifically, the report says Wiggins took the substance up to nine periods in his career. He says he has no idea where the information came from.
Wiggins added he only learned what the allegation against him was when the report came out in the early hours of this morning. He said he dealt with the committee and answered its questions over a long period.
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Despite this, the information presented in the report as confidential intelligence from a trusted source was never put to him.
Yet he says that anonymous information has taken his reputation and made it impossible for him to defend himself against and prove his innocence.
At one point the report says it "might appear" Wiggins "may have" been treated with triamcinolone on "up to nine" occasions over four years.
ICYMI Exclusive @BBCNews at 6 interview with Sir Bradley Wiggins @SirWiggo as GB's most decorated Olympian denies MP's accusations he "crossed the ethical line" pic.twitter.com/aS8LKy6JYt
— Dan Roan (@danroan) March 5, 2018
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“Not at any time in my career did we cross the ethical line,” Wiggins told BBC reporter Dan Roan in a TV interview.
It aired this evening after Wiggins contacted Roan and asked to be interviewed by him. Previously the BBC was threatened with the police when it tried to doorstep Wiggins and put questions to him.
“I refute that 100 per cent. This is malicious,” Wiggins said of the allegations in the report from an unnamed source.
“This is someone trying to smear me. I would love to know who it is. I think it would answer a lot of questions.
“These allegations, it’s the worst thing to be accused of. It’s also the hardest thing to prove you haven’t done.
“We’re not dealing in a legal system. I’d have had more rights if I’d murdered someone.
“I’m trying to be in retirement and do other things in my life. And the effect it’s had, the widespread effect on the family, it’s horrific.
“I don’t know how I’m going to pick the pieces up with the kids and stuff, as well as try and salvage my reputation from this. I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone.”
The use of the confidential source to make such damaging allegations, with no supporting information set out, does seem unusual.
However, the report simply states the source of the information was a “well placed” person.
The report adds: “The source said they were all using corticosteroids out of competition to lean down in preparation for the major races that season.”
It further states: “From the evidence presented to the committee it might appear that Bradley Wiggins may have been treated with triamcinolone on up to nine occasions, in and out of competition, during a four-year period.
“It would be hard to know what possible medical need could have required such a seemingly excessive use of this drug.”
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