Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s new chairman has apologised to Azeem Rafiq over the handling of his racism and bullying allegations.

Azeem Rafiq was found to have been a victim of “racial harassment and bullying” while playing for the club – but no one was punished.

The club’s response was widely criticised, with chairman Roger Hutton resigning and Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford being appointed director and chair.

On Monday, Lord Patel said: “Azeem is a whistleblower and should be praised as such.

“He should never have been put through this.

“We’re sorry for what you and your family have experienced and the way in which we’ve handled this.

“I thank Azeem for his bravery in speaking out.

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“Let me be clear from the outset – racism or discrimination in any form is not banter.”

His use of the word ‘banter’ was referring to the club’s initial response to Rafiq’s complaints, including an admission by one senior player that he used the word “P***” in relation to Rafiq, which on at least one occasion reduced Rafiq to tears.

Yorkshire CCC had concluded the incidents amounted to “friendly banter”, adding: “The panel does not accept that Azeem was offended by (the other player’s) comments, either at the time they were made or subsequently.”

Lord Patel added: “It’s clear to me that we’ve handled this… badly.

“We need to learn from our mistakes… and ensure we do better.

“Clearly there’s a problem, and I’ve been appointed to see if this club is institutionally racist and how we can address that.”

Rafiq accused the club of “institutional racism” in 2020 as a result of his experiences during two stints there between 2008 and 2017.

An internal investigation was launched but, although it found the 30-year-old spin bowler was the victim of “racial harassment and bullying”, it said there was “no conduct or action taken by any of (the club’s) employees, players, or executives that warrants disciplinary action”.

In recent weeks, the England and Wales Cricket Board has suspended Yorkshire’s right to host international matches, and a number of sponsors have deserted the club.

Lord Patel said that the club has since settled an employment tribunal case with Rafiq which does not include a non-disclosure agreement, meaning “no restrictions have been placed on Azeem on what he can or cannot say about his experiences”.

The club’s new chairman also revealed that some staff have been harassed and sent death threats over the weekend in response to the allegations.

He said: “I am deeply troubled to have learned that over the weekend some current staff have been harassed, and even received death threats.

“Nobody should feel discriminated against or abused, and that includes the staff here at Headingly (Yorkshire’s cricket ground).”

Lord Patel outlined three steps to help the club do better in future: an independent whistle-blowing hotline; a specialist independent review of the county’s processes and procedures on diversity and inclusion; and sharing the full report into the racism allegations with those who have a “legal interest” in it

He also said he had spoken to the England and Wales Cricket Board about the restoration of international cricket at Yorkshire but that the club would have to “address the root causes” that had led to the suspension.

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