Phipps resigns over Panorama programme

Jeremy Phipps has resigned as director of security at the British Jockey Club following his contribution to the Panorama programme "The Corruption of Racing".

Phipps had come under intense pressure since featuring in a covertly-taped conversation with his predecessor Roger Buffham.

Buffham turned whistle-blower on the BBC show, which attacked racing's regulators and claimed the sport was "institutionally corrupt."

Senior steward Christopher Spence confirmed he had accepted Phipps' resignation with regret.

In a statement he said: "In his short time with the Jockey Club, first as acting head of security and then as director of security, he has contributed a great deal."

During Sunday's broadcast Phipps was seen telling Buffham that the Jockey Club is lacking in "backbone".

He went on to describe Jockey Club members as "f***ing ignorant" and the licensing system as "crap".

Phipps was shown being confronted with a transcript of the meeting and initially denied making the comments.

But, after being taken aside by the Jockey Club's PR director John Maxse, Phipps returned to the camera to explain that he made comments to put Buffham at ease.