Seven disciplinary cases have been identified by the British Horseracing Authority as potentially being open to challenge on the grounds of an appearance of bias.The news comes in the wake of non-trier charges against Jim Best that resulted in a four-year ban from the sport being quashed at appeal after it emerged that Matthew Lohn, chairman of the panel hearing the case, had been engaged by the BHA on other matters, giving rise to claims of an appearance of bias in favour of the governing body. A rehearing was ordered. Best strenuously denies all charges.
In announcing seven additional cases, the BHA said it had taken advice from Leading Counsel, Ian Mill QC. It added that “no grounds for asserting any actual bias exists in these cases.” The cases in question date from October 2013.
BHA chief executive Nick Rust said, “We are acting fairly, responsibly and proactively to deal with this matter and to address issues arising from a small number of past cases involving Matthew Lohn. We will provide support and guidance to anyone who decides to come forward to discuss any concerns that they might have and how best to resolve them.”
The BHA said it could not make any further comment on any of the cases involved, or the individuals concerned. The BHA also revealed an appeal by trainer Paul Gilligan in relation to the finding against him by a panel that included Lohn had been resolved by agreement between the parties concerned. The case will be remitted for redetermination by a differently constituted panel and the BHA will pay Gilligan's costs of the appeal as agreed or as determined by an appeal board chairman.
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