Team Sky boss Sir Dave Brailsford finally addressed the controversial contents of a package delivered by courier to Bradley Wiggins on the final day of a 2011 international cycling competition in a session of the Culture, Media and Sport select committee on Monday. The Committee, which includes Mid-Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston, added to the pressure created by recent Daily Mail allegations for Brailsford to clarify whether Wiggins had been in receipt of potentially performance-enhancing substances. Other witnesses included former Team Sky head coach Shane Sutton, British Cycling president Bob Howden and British Cycling board member Dr George Gilbert.
Brailsford told MPs that the package contained the decongestant Fluimicil, which is legal in cycling and, according to Brailsford, “administered on a regular basis”. But questions and suspicions still circulate about this incident. Committee member John Nicolson MP tried to press Mr Brailsford on why it was that a drug that could be bought over the counter for less than ten Euros was sent by plane to Geneva and then driven another 100 miles by car to Bradley Wiggins. He questioned why there was so much secrecy if the package’s content was so innocent.
In an uncomfortable and long session, various leaders of British Cycling were asked again and again by select committee members why they were failing to be transparent about the circumstances around this much talked about package. That it has taken so long to provide an answer about the contents of the package has fuelled speculation.
Nigel Huddleston told Mr Brailsford: “Isn’t it extraordinary that it has had to get all the way to a House of Commons select committee before we get an answer – and hopefully the truth – about this elusive package? The speculation around this issue has done untold damage to the reputation of cycling.” Nigel added: “what does this say about the transparency, communication, processes and overall governance structure of British cycling?”.
In response Sir Dave said that there were lessons to be learnt and that he would take some personal responsibility for ensuring that the sport gets back on the right track. Other witnesses also recognised they had work to do. While questioning Cycling President, Bob Howden, Nigel Huddleston said that: “you need to get your act together… and send very clear signals that you are up to the job” of overseeing cycling’s governing body.
The select committee will decide what further actions to take once it has seen the official UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) report into the incident which is due in the new year. Information in this report will be cross-referenced with the statements made by Sir Dave Brailsford and the other witnesses at Monday’s session.