Lord Allen proposals given full support of Jockey Club
The BHA board currently has an independent chair, four independent directors and four member-nominated directors – two from the racecourses and two nominated by the sport's participants – but Allen wants to change that arrangement.
Racecourses' ownership of media rights and fixtures is reportedly one of the sticking points for a proposed governance shake-up, but Jockey Club CEO Jim Mullen feels that while further discussion on such matters is necessary, it would be to the sport's benefit to create a 'stronger regulatory body'.
He said: 'Without a strong regulator it's not possible for any sport to thrive and that's why we are fully supportive of Lord Allen's proposals for a fully independent BHA Board.
'There are still details on certain issues which will need to be thrashed out in time and to expect everyone to agree on everything would be unrealistic at best, a potential barrier to meaningful change at worst.
'We recognise that ownership of media rights and fixtures are extremely important to the profitably of racecourses and that's where we are aligned with small and large independent courses and RCA members.
'However, we don't believe that those views are incompatible with our strongly held opinion that British racing requires a fully independent regulator which is empowered to drive change, not only to benefit the sport now but for generations to come.
'We're supportive of the consultative approach that Lord Allen is taking and the importance he has placed on taking counsel from those across the sport before forming an opinion. Ultimately, whether Lord Allen takes up his role or not, a process has started which we think has the very real potential to create a stronger regulatory body.'
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Belfast Telegraph
9 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Michelle O'Neill on being shaped by ‘killing of local lads by British state' and convincing unionists ahead of border poll
In a lengthy interview with the Irish Times, the Sinn Fein vice president also claimed there are 'many people', including unionists, who are 'open to being persuaded' about a united Ireland. Ms O'Neill, who has been subject to intense criticism for attending republican commemorations and claiming there was 'no alternative' to IRA violence during the Troubles, opened up on how her worldview was shaped during her formative years. The Mid-Ulster MLA said she was aware from an early age that she 'grew up in a family, in a society, in a community that was discriminated against, that was treated with inequality on a day-to-day basis'. '[There was] a lot of loss in the community, many moments when the British state killed local lads, local people, local people that weren't much older than me… all those moments contribute to shaping who you are,' Ms O'Neill told the newspaper. One of those killed was her cousin, Tony Doris. 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Ms O'Neill remembered her father Brendan Doris — who was an IRA prisoner and a local councillor — as a 'community activist' who was 'very much wedded to his community'. 'I liked how he helped people,' she explained. 'So I suppose, maybe it was always organic that I would go down the route that I took in terms of going into politics.' The deputy leader of Sinn Fein said that partition has 'failed' her community as she spoke about her early goal of bringing about a united Ireland, as she expressed support for her party's committent to secure a border poll as early as 2030. However, she said she is 'less fixated on a date' and 'more interested in the actual planning and preparation is done and that we get it right'. 'The Irish Government really, really need to treat this with urgency … give people the tools in which to make an informed decision,' Ms O'Neill continued. 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'So, for me, that outweighs any personal feeling.' Ms O'Neill pointed out that at the same time, 'I go to republican commemorations' as she explained the reason. 'Because that's who I am. I've never shied away from that. I don't distance myself from that,' she said. When asked about her critics and those who find her presence at republican commemorations difficult to accept, Ms O'Neill said: 'I do think about it. 'I understand there are many people out there that have a different narrative than me and I respect that that's their view. It's also perhaps their lived experience, but mine's different.' Regarding her relationship with deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Ms O'Neill said they are 'completely different characters' with 'completely different backgrounds' and a 'completely different outlook' but 'also very understanding of the fact that we have to work together to try and lead the Executive.' However, the First Minister was critical of what she branded a 'lack of leadership in political unionism, particularly when it comes to issues of bonfires' and its 'faux outrage at times around particular issues'. 'The constant attacks on the GAA tell people who support the GAA and people from an Irish national identity that they're not welcome in this place,' she added. News Catch Up - Monday 28th July 'Political unionism would need to think about that.' Despite a number of rows since the restoration of the Executive last February, Ms O'Neill defended Stormont's record so far. 'We're 18 months in… we have a programme for government, the first in over a decade,' she said. 'We've prioritised health waiting lists and we've put finances in that direction. We've been able to deal with public sector pay.'
Leader Live
9 minutes ago
- Leader Live
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Leader Live
9 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Will of man believed to be Stakeknife will not be made public, High Court rules
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