Jockey Club abandon Fallon disrepute hearing
The Jockey Club has decided not to proceed with the disciplinary inquiry, which also concerned fellow rider John Egan, after consultation with its legal advisers.
Club spokesman John Maxse said yesterday: “We no longer consider that there is sufficient evidence to merit a disciplinary hearing.”
The former champion jockey and his colleague were the subject of allegations made by the Sunday last March after undercover reporters met the pair. A dossier was handed over to the Jockey Club.
“After reviewing the dossier initially handed over by the News Of The World, it was considered that there was evidence to warrant holding an inquiry which would seek to establish whether or not Kieren Fallon and John Egan, through their dealings with the reporters, were culpable for the ensuing negative coverage racing received. Since that decision was taken, however, additional material from the News Of The World has been received.
“After examining the material in total and having taken advice from our legal team, we no longer consider that there is sufficient evidence to merit a disciplinary hearing.”
Fallon, alongside 24 other people, is still under investigation by the City Of London Police over allegations of conspiracy to defraud following a major inquiry into possible corruption in racing.
All 25 who were arrested have been bailed and are due to return to a London police station in April.
As well as informing solicitors representing Fallon and Egan, the Jockey Club has also informed the City Of London Police of the decision not to proceed with the inquiry. Police had requested that the Jockey Club share with investigating officers all available material relevant to the allegations and to consider deferring the holding of any disciplinary hearings.
Maxse continued: “The decision not to proceed was taken in light of the legal advice we have received, having finally been able to examine the dossier in its entirety.
“The police investigation is much broader in scope than the matters which were to form the basis of the Jockey Club inquiry into Kieren Fallon and John Egan’s conduct with the News Of The World undercover reporters.”
Fallon’s solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore said: “I have spoken to Kieren and he told me he is glad to have been cleared of all of the News Of The World allegations by the Jockey Club, which have been proved to have been completely unfounded, and he looks forward to the results of the police inquiry.
“He has instructed his solicitors to obtain a retraction from the News Of The World.
“All there is left now is to resolve the police matter, and then begin libel proceedings. We sent a letter to the News Of The World two months ago, but have not received a reply, so we will now plan how to proceed next.”
