Sir Dave Brailsford may have given misleading information to a parliamentary committee that Sir Bradley Wiggins’s medical records have been provided to a UK Anti-Doping investigation, it can be revealed.
The Team Sky principal said on three occasions while giving evidence to the culture, media and sport committee on Monday that the British cyclist’s medical records had been provided to the investigation. Wiggins’s camp has also indicated the medical records have been made available, but The Times has learnt from two sources that UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) investigators have not received any such documents.
Meanwhile, the committee chairman Damian Collins has expressed his concern after it was reported that Brailsford offered incentives to try to prevent publication of a story about a package of unknown medication being couriered by a British Cycling coach to France in 2011 to be given to Wiggins at the end of a race.
It was in response to Collins’ questioning that Brailsford told MPs the records had been provided to Ukad.
Brailsford said: “My understanding is that they have been made available to Ukad.” When asked if for some reason they had not been made available, would he urge Wiggins and his doctor to do so, Brailsford replied: “They have been. My understanding is they have been. The fact that he has given Ukad his medical records for that time is very much a step in the right direction.”
Advertisement
Brailsford told the committee he had been told by Richard Freeman, the then Team Sky doctor who now works for British Cycling, that the mystery package contained Fluimucil, a decongestant that is not on sport’s prohibited list.
The Times understands Ukad has been unable to find any written record at British Cycling of what was sent in the package — and according to Ukad’s official medical guidance Fluimucil is a prescription-only medication, which means that it should have been recorded if prescribed. The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency says it has always been prescription-only.
Collins said the latest claims against Brailsford, who was not available for comment, added to the confusion.
He told The Times: “It adds to a picture which doesn’t seem to make any sense. Why should Dave Brailsford go to such lengths not to reveal what was in the package and try to prevent the story being published if what was in that package was completely innocent?
“He appears from this report to be trying to stop the line of inquiry. If he knew it was Fluimucil why did he not say so straight away?
Advertisement
“If he didn’t, why did he try to close down a legitimate investigation? He needs to explain why he said what he did, and what he knew about the package at the time. Then we can judge whether it was rash and foolhardy or more serious than deliberately trying to close down the investigation.”
Collins said British Cycling had promised to write to confirm from their side the contents of the package. He added: “It will be interesting to see the records of what they keep in their medical store and how much Fluimucil is kept and used.”
Team Sky said that they were co-operating with the Ukad investigation. A statement said: “We believe what is most important is for Ukad to establish the truth independently. We are confident that when they report it will be clear there has been no wrongdoing. During the committee session, Dave acknowledged once again his own mistakes in handling the issue over recent months.”
