Jess Varnish’s complaint of “inappropriate and discriminatory language” against former British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton has been upheld.

British Cycling launched an internal investigation after sprinter Varnish, followed by several other female riders and paralympians, revealed cases of derogatory language. Varnish claimed Sutton told her to ‘go and have a baby’ and we heard that paralympians had been called ‘gimps’ and ‘wobblies’.

Sutton resigned not long after the allegations came to the surface, leaving his post just 100 days before the Olympic Games in Rio.

Today, British Cycling revealed the findings of their review, releasing a statement that said:

“Following an internal investigation, the British Cycling board has upheld an allegation made by Jess Varnish that former technical director Shane Sutton had used inappropriate and discriminatory language. The board wishes to put on record its sincere regret that this happened.”

British Cycling is also under an independent review, commissioned by UK Sport, and the results of the internal investigation will be shared with the members of the independent review board.