Athletics: Norman may face external inquiry

BRITISH athletics authorities appear to be reconsidering their decision to hold only an internal investigation into the controversy surrounding their promotions officer, Andy Norman.

The British Athletic Federation has encountered widespread criticism for its initial response to allegations linking Norman with the suicide last month of the journalist and coach, Cliff Temple.

But the possibility of a change of heart emerged yesterday when Professor Peter Radford, the BAF executive chairman, revealed that no decision had yet been made whether or not to have an independent inquiry. The matter will be discussed at today's management board meeting.

Radford took up his new post on Tuesday, with the BAF spokesman, Tony Ward, insisting that the new executive chairman would be conducting a one-man internal investigation.

But, responding to a letter from the British Athletics Writers' Association, which said that justice can only be seen to be done with an independent inquiry, Professor Radford replied that the BAF still has to decide how to handle the matter.

'The time-scale is very short but the management board will discuss this matter at least in a preliminary way on Friday,' he said.

'I cannot know what they will decide, but I must stress that contrary to much speculation in the press and elsewhere, the decision not to have an independent inquiry has not been made. A decision on how BAF wish to handle this matter will be made as soon as possible.'

Widespread dissatisfaction over the manner of the BAF's handling of the issue was illustrated in a letter from Folkestone Athletics Club to Professor Radford yesterday.

Dave Smyth, secretary of the club, of which Temple used to be a leading light, wrote that the BAF had been 'exposed as a weak and amoral body'. He called for Norman's dismissal following the investigation and warned that other clubs were ready to force an extraordinary general meeting of the BAF to discuss the issue if necessary.