Support for controversial UK swimming chief

British Swimming chief executive David Sparkes insists Bill Sweetenham has the support of the “vast majority” following a report into bullying allegations.

The British national performance director received the backing of the governing body following an independent inquiry into claims of bullying in a newspaper article last August.

After a three-month investigation, led by retired policeman Bill Roberts, British Swimming announced that “broadly speaking” the allegations had not been proven.

The statement read: “British Swimming can confirm that, broadly speaking, the report suggestions allegations of bullying are not proven.

“However, the report has identified a number of issues which will need to be discussed with Mr Sweetenham in an appropriate fashion upon his return from Australia and thereafter matters will need to be carefully considered by the British Swimming Managing Board.

“British Swimming are not prepared to go into further detail with regard to the nature of these issues as this would be unfair to Mr Sweetenham.”