Latest news with #BBCPanorama
The Journal
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Journal
Former Swim Ireland performance director accused of 'toxic' practices during UK role
FORMER SWIM IRELAND national performance director Jon Rudd has been accused of 'bullying, a toxic training environment and controlling food culture' by 12 swimmers during a previous role he held in England. The allegations against Rudd were detailed in a BBC Panorama programme on Monday night. Rudd spent eight years with Swim Ireland but left his role last week to join the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee as performance director. The Panorama investigation focuses on Rudd's time with Plymouth Leander, where he was head coach between 1989 and 2017. Lithuanian Rūta Meilutyte, who at the age of 15 became the youngest person to win the Olympic 100m breaststroke at the 2012 London Games, told Panorama that Rudd's training environment 'made me for a while and then it broke me'. Meilutyte said she once told Rudd she would make herself sick after meals, and he replied: 'Well, at least you get the calories out.' Panorama's investigation also revealed 17 witnesses gave evidence as part of a 2012 investigation which determined Rudd should be suspended, but Swim England did not take any action. Advertisement Swim Ireland say they were made aware of the 2012 investigation in 2023, but state there was 'no suggestion or indication of welfare issues' during his eight years at Swim Ireland. A Swim Ireland statement read: 'In September 2023, Swim England advised Swim Ireland of an independent review of a 2012 report concerning Plymouth Leander Swimming Club where Jon Rudd was Head Coach. 'Upon Swim Ireland requesting further details, Swim England issued the following correspondence: 'that specific case was more for information and records only, rather than any need for specific action on your [Swim Ireland's] end.' And further; 'case files don't get shared unless there is specific/threat which justifies it.' Swim Ireland never received the independent review or the original report from Swim England and have heard nothing further from them on the matter. 'Despite Swim England indicating that no action was required by Swim Ireland, Swim Ireland conducted its own internal assessment led by our Head of Safeguarding. Jon fully cooperated with this process. There has been no suggestion or indication of welfare issues during Jon's tenure with Swim Ireland. Furthermore, towards the end of 2022, a thorough independent Sport Ireland Culture Review was completed with our Performance Department that involved staff, coaches and included meetings with athletes. This Culture Review raised no concerns. 'Jon resigned his role with Swim Ireland to take up a position of Performance Director at Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee. 'The welfare and support of swimmers is a primary focus for Swim Ireland. The 'Here to Listen' section of our website details who to speak to and supports available to anyone with a concern relating to welfare of any swimmer.' Written by Ciarán Kennedy and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
The 42
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Former Swim Ireland performance director accused of 'toxic' practices
FORMER SWIM IRELAND national performance director Jon Rudd has been accused of 'bullying, a toxic training environment and controlling food culture' by 12 swimmers during a previous role he held in England. The allegations against Rudd were detailed in a BBC Panorama programme on Monday night. Rudd spent eight years with Swim Ireland but left his role last week to join the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee as performance director. Advertisement The Panorama investigation focuses on Rudd's time with Plymouth Leander, where he was head coach between 1989 and 2017. Lithuanian Rūta Meilutyte, who at the age of 15 became the youngest person to win the Olympic 100m breaststroke at the 2012 London Games, told Panorama that Rudd's training environment 'made me for a while and then it broke me'. Meilutyte said she once told Rudd she would make herself sick after meals, and he replied: 'Well, at least you get the calories out.' Panorama's investigation also revealed 17 witnesses gave evidence as part of a 2012 investigation which determined Rudd should be suspended, but Swim England did not take any action. Swim Ireland say they were made aware of the 2012 investigation in 2023, but state there was 'no suggestion or indication of welfare issues' during his eight years at Swim Ireland. A Swim Ireland statement read: 'In September 2023, Swim England advised Swim Ireland of an independent review of a 2012 report concerning Plymouth Leander Swimming Club where Jon Rudd was Head Coach. 'Upon Swim Ireland requesting further details, Swim England issued the following correspondence: 'that specific case was more for information and records only, rather than any need for specific action on your [Swim Ireland's] end.' And further; 'case files don't get shared unless there is specific/threat which justifies it.' Swim Ireland never received the independent review or the original report from Swim England and have heard nothing further from them on the matter. 'Despite Swim England indicating that no action was required by Swim Ireland, Swim Ireland conducted its own internal assessment led by our Head of Safeguarding. Jon fully cooperated with this process. There has been no suggestion or indication of welfare issues during Jon's tenure with Swim Ireland. Furthermore, towards the end of 2022, a thorough independent Sport Ireland Culture Review was completed with our Performance Department that involved staff, coaches and included meetings with athletes. This Culture Review raised no concerns. 'Jon resigned his role with Swim Ireland to take up a position of Performance Director at Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee. 'The welfare and support of swimmers is a primary focus for Swim Ireland. The 'Here to Listen' section of our website details who to speak to and supports available to anyone with a concern relating to welfare of any swimmer.'
Irish Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Swim Ireland reacts to BBC Panorama investigation into HP director Jon Rudd
Swim Ireland have issued a statement regarding the allegations made against Jon Rudd, the body's National Performance Director, that will be broadcast by BBC Panorama tonight. The investigative programme will reveal claims that Rudd - who was in place for Swim Ireland's three medal success at the Paris Olympics achieved by Daniel Wiffen and Mona McSharry - presided over a bullying and toxic training regime while head coach of Plymouth Leander, one of England's top clubs. He was with the club for 28 years and was head coach from 1989 to 2017, when he joined Swim Ireland. London 2012 gold medallist Rūta Meilutytė said she was left "broken" by her experience, accusing the Yorkshireman of putting a focus on weighing and swimmers' diets. She also outlines her own issues with an eating disorder and depression. The programme also highlights allegations of bullying and verbal abuse during Rudd's long association with the club that were not acted upon by Swim England. According to the BBC, a confidential 2012 investigation that recommended Rudd should be suspended for four months was not acted upon. Swim England's new CEO Andy Salmon has apologised to the swimmers affected. Swim Ireland announced on May 6 that Rudd was stepping down from his role in June to take on a new position as Saudi Arabia's new High Performance Director for swimming. The statement read: 'In September 2023, Swim England advised Swim Ireland of an independent review of a 2012 report concerning Plymouth Leander Swimming Club where Jon Rudd was Head Coach. "Upon Swim Ireland requesting further details, Swim England issued the following correspondence: 'that specific case was more for information and records only, rather than any need for specific action on your (Swim Ireland's) end'. "And further; 'case files don't get shared unless there is specific/threat which justifies it'. "Swim Ireland never received the independent review or the original report from Swim England and have heard nothing further from them on the matter. "Despite Swim England indicating that no action was required by Swim Ireland, Swim Ireland conducted its own internal assessment led by our Head of Safeguarding. Jon fully cooperated with this process. "There has been no suggestion or indication of welfare issues such as those mentioned in the report, during Jon's tenure with Swim Ireland. "Furthermore, towards the end of 2022, a thorough independent Sport Ireland Culture Review was completed with our Performance Department that involved staff, coaches and included meetings with athletes. This Culture Review raised no concerns. "Jon resigned his role with Swim Ireland to take up a position of Performance Director at Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee." Announcing earlier this month that Rudd was departing the role, Swim Ireland confirmed that he will be replaced on an interim basis by Andrew Reid, the body's current Head of Performance Pathways and Operations. Rudd gave his reaction to leaving at the time. 'There is no doubt in my mind that Swim Ireland is a truly great governing body, one that is totally committed to performance aquatics via a highly supportive Board and CEO and having significant positive impacts on and for the people on the island year on year.," he said. "The position in Saudi Arabia is one that I have been discussing with them over recent months, and they have a huge ambition to develop a whole host of Olympic and Paralympic sports in the nation, with swimming being a key part of this equation. 'I have very much enjoyed my time in Ireland, and it quickly became home, providing me with an opportunity to work with a wonderful group of staff, athletes, and coaches throughout this time. "I will certainly miss the people and the role, but it is time for something fresh, and the role in Saudi Arabia very much presents this.'
Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Let's not rush to judgement on our Special Forces
The latest harrowing and graphic BBC Panorama documentary on alleged murders by UK Special Forces highlights again the reasons why Lord Justice Haddon-Cave was tasked to conduct his ongoing independent inquiry. A cast of actors, representing BBC sources, suggest that the cold-blooded and deliberate execution of unarmed prisoners was both common and endorsed by the chain of command. This is horrifying if true. But such TV programmes lead to a fear within the Special Forces community that they are being well and truly hung out to dry: not by the Haddon-Cave inquiry, but by hidden voices that use documentaries rather than the inquiry as a forum to broadcast their observations. Special Forces personnel past and present also notice the fact that very few senior officers, serving or retired, have entered this public debate in their support – though General Sir Jim Hockenhull, the head of Strategic Command, has recently stated that he has 'supreme confidence' in them. It nonetheless feels to many in the UKSF community as though the Special Forces as a whole have already been tried and condemned. Given the nature of the allegations, nobody is suggesting the inquiry is not necessary – if there is a legitimate case to be answered, let Haddon-Cave examine it and let the hard sword of justice fall. But while he does his work, let us not pass hasty judgement. Let's not forget the vital and dangerous work that the Special Forces have done for our country and still do today. Shakespeare may have been right when he put the words 'the evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones' in the mouth of Mark Antony: but let's not jump to this gloomy conclusion on our SF too soon. Much that is good has been done and is still being done today: as those many, but silent, senior officers and agency chiefs that have directed many special operations in many places could attest. Unlike those that choose to stand silent and plead issues of confidentiality or not wanting to upset an inquiry, I am prepared to speak on behalf of serving and ex-members of the UK Special Forces who have been in touch with me following the latest Panorama report. They are a truly valiant community and critical to the security of this country, especially at a time when threats are constantly mutating and growing. Unlike them, I did not serve in the Special Forces but I have worked with UKSF and our intelligence agencies all over the world. I was privileged to witness amazingly brave and professional men and women doing the right thing in the most demanding circumstances. I have also encountered the savage brutality of Al Qaeda and ISIS in Syria and everyone knows the evil that they do. Often it is only the work of the UKSF that keeps these threats away from us and our beloveds here at home. Lt Col Richard Williams, a Commanding Officer of the SAS in Iraq, is worried about the reputation and the future of his former command: 'I do fear that many in our country, upset by messy endings in Iraq and Afghanistan, rattled by the coincident and resonant rhythms of the Panorama accusations and the Haddon-Cave inquiry, may start to lose faith in our Special Forces. This will certainly be the case if no one breaks free of dated MOD confidentiality barriers to provide some context and insight into our recent Special Forces history to counterbalance this consistently hostile narrative.' If only the negative side of the story is told, our government could certainly reject the Special Forces' unique value, cripple their capability or even disband them. It has happened before. Despite the now famous achievements of the SAS in World War Two, not a single senior officer stood up for it once the war ended. This unique and ground-breaking capability was disbanded, with its many extraordinary veterans discharged and discarded. This was recognised as an error and the SAS was reformed again seven years later to conduct special operations in the jungles of Malaya. It has remained an essential part of the British order of battle ever since. I pray that we don't make that mistake again. The late General Mike Jackson, one of our greatest generals and a friend of mine with whom I spent a wonderful day in Kenya last year before he died, would not have sat silent today, I judge. I am sure that if he were still alive, he'd have stepped forward publicly to demand that Haddon-Cave does his necessary job unhindered, that we must stand ready to accept his conclusions and learn lessons from them; but also, that we must not forget how important Special Forces are to the defence of the United Kingdom and that they should not be weakened or dispensed with as in the past. And he would be right. Let's remember that these brave, skilled soldiers stand watch over us every day. As George Orwell pointed out, people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. Only last week, the men of B Squadron, 22 SAS helped our police deal with an Iranian terrorist threat in London. That's the same SAS squadron that dealt with the Iranian embassy siege in 1980. Let's not pre-judge them and offer our sincere support for all that they are doing to keep us safe.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Navy leadership is in crisis, but the Service itself is fine
There is currently a crisis among our Navy's top leaders. The outgoing First Sea Lord – the head of the Service – Admiral Sir Ben Key, has been asked to 'step back' while the claim of affair with a subordinate officer is being investigated. Meanwhile, the person most likely to replace him, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins of the Royal Marines, is one of the subjects of a BBC Panorama documentary which suggests that he failed to correctly report alleged war crimes while serving as Director of Special Forces. The MoD responded that there was no evidence for these claims. Each of these, on its own, would amount to a significant scandal. That they have emerged simultaneously – just as the Strategic Defence Review is about to be published – is damaging. It also means we are now in conspiracy-theory open season. How important is this current crisis, and what can be done about it? You may have noticed I said 'Navy's leaders' and not 'naval leadership.' I firmly believe the latter is in good shape. The problem the Royal Navy now has to address – while unpicking this mess and its surrounding conspiracies – is: why would anyone believe that? The allegations surrounding Sir Ben, which are still under investigation, are particularly troubling given the lead he took on confronting behavioural scandals during his time as First Sea Lord, not least last year's investigation into 'misogyny, bullying and other unacceptable behaviours' in the submarine service. Some of that conduct was horrific and brought the Service into disrepute. What Admiral Key is alleged to have done here is far less serious, though it isn't negligible. As one who formerly worked in the Navy's comms department, I'd also have to say this story has been terribly handled. It would make a good episode of The Thick of It – though it wouldn't be funny, because there are real people involved. Malcolm Tucker, the fictional head of No 10 communications in that series, would not be impressed – nor, as I understand it, was the real No. 10 in this case. At the root of the issue is the fact that the Ministry of Defence communications machine protects the reputation of the ministers above that of any particular service – or the people in it, no matter how senior. That, along with never doing anything that might interfere with the No.10 comms grid, is hardwired in. In this case, the idea that the Navy might want to synchronise external announcements with internal communications – to assure those who must now lead their teams through the fallout – never crossed their minds. Then there's the delusion that you can suppress damaging news through careful stage management. You can't. Put out a softening statement first, by all means, but be honest with the wording – don't say 'stepped back for private reasons' when that's only tangentially true. Worse still, different branches within Defence ran different comms tracks, which meant two papers ended up racing to publish first. Not their fault – it's their job. But by losing control of the story, it broke mid-afternoon Friday – earlier than planned. By Sunday, the journalists who'd missed the scoop were under pressure to find new angles, many of which weren't true. And still we don't really know what happened, how serious it was, or who was involved. Had more information been released early, identities could have been protected as part of the trade-off. Now the story will just run and run as new details inevitably leak, and no one will escape. What bothers me is: if we can't manage something like this properly, what happens when something really awful happens – like losing a ship, or going to war? Meanwhile, Panorama airs its documentary into what happened under General Jenkins's command in Afghanistan. This has been a long time coming – documentaries like this always are. And the inquiry led by Sir Charles Haddon-Cave into 'unlawful activity by UK Special Forces' has been running since December 2022. General Gwyn has been the target of leaks before. That time it was to undermine his candidacy for the top job: Chief of Defence Staff. However, given the lead time for Panorama, I don't believe this and Admiral Key's story breaking simultaneously is a coordinated attack on the Navy. No one has the ability to manipulate media timelines to that extent. Some may take delight in it, but that's not the same thing. Still, the Navy now faces a dilemma over Jenkins's candidacy for First Sea Lord: expedite, delay (which could be for a very long time), or cancel. These are big decisions, not helped by the fact that two of the people at the level that would normally make decisions of this magnitude are now implicated. Hopefully this appearance on the BBC would have been factored in when he was chosen and so I suspect he will therefore be officially nominated soon, which will be good for the service. Nevertheless, with the General likely to attract regular headlines as both Panorama and the Haddon Cave enquiry head towards their respective conclusions, careful reputational handling will be required for some time to come. There is some good to be plucked from the mess. Operationally, this won't matter. Take the Navy and Joint Teams in Northwood overseeing the Carrier Strike Group as it nears the decision to enter the Houthi missile envelope in the Red Sea; they'll see this as no more than a minor distraction. Easily 98 per cent of the RN functions day to day without interaction with the head of service. Some will be annoyed, as will their families, but most will just crack on. Likewise at the strategic level, whilst the timing adjacent to the Strategic Defence Review culmination is unfortunate, it won't make any material difference. It's not like the Navy will receive less money as a punishment – it won't receive any in the first place. The real damage is to public perception, especially when public understanding of what the Navy is for is already so low. That hinges on whether these events are seen as isolated or endemic. In 25 years of service, I'd say – vehemently – it's the former. And that's not the Kool-Aid talking; I spent those years surrounded by good people doing hard jobs in extraordinary conditions. But outsiders only hear about the bad eggs – and lately, there have been too many. Now this. So, the Navy and Defence have a job to do – starting now – to convince people otherwise. If these two organisations can't do that together, beginning with communications and grounded in education, then they will fail Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
