Sports minister Maree Todd meets Scottish Cricket stakeholders amid ongoing racism row

Holyrood sports minister Maree Todd has met with key stakeholders from Scottish Cricket to discuss continuing challenges facing the sport including an ongoing racism row.

The MSP held the urgent talks after four members of the sport’s anti-racism and equality, diversity and inclusion advisory group resigned before being followed by the previous chair of the governing body, Anjan Luthra.

Todd was joined by the chief executives of sportscotland and Cricket Scotland at the meeting along with Glasgow Kelvin MSP, Kaukab Stewart.

Stewart recently raised concerns about the governing body’s response to racism problems at First Minister’s Questions.

Speaking after the meeting, Todd made it clear she expected Cricket Scotland to continue prioritising and addressing racism and to meaningfully consult and engage with stakeholders from across all levels of the sport.

She said: “I was pleased to convene this meeting to discuss the recent challenging events for the sport and how we support Cricket Scotland to ensure some good progress on the recommendations from Changing The Boundaries report continues.

“We want to make sure cricket thrives as an inclusive and welcoming sport in communities in Scotland and agreed that only by engaging in meaningful and real consultation will the necessary cultural change be delivered. I will continue to meet Cricket Scotland and sportscotland to drive progress on these important issues.”

Chief executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said the organisation remains committed to rebuilding the sport in Scotland.

He said: “We remain committed to helping rebuild Scottish cricket and will continue to provide whatever support we can over the coming weeks and months.

“We want to see Scottish cricket recover and thrive but that will only be possible by delivering cultural change within the sport.

“Central to that will be listening to and working with the wider cricketing community.”

Chief executive of Cricket Scotland, Gordon Arthur, added: “This was a really constructive and meaningful discussion on the many challenges facing Cricket Scotland, and I have reaffirmed our commitment to prioritise the work emanating from the Changing The Boundaries report, to ensure that the racism problems are addressed and that cricket in Scotland becomes a fully inclusive and welcoming sport for all.”

And Stewart insisted “We cannot afford to get this wrong again”.

The MSP said: “I know that many have been deeply disappointed in the lack of progress to date in meaningfully tackling institutional racism within Cricket Scotland.

“We cannot afford to get this wrong again. Having raised this with the First Minister in Parliament, I am pleased this meeting has taken place – I know the Scottish Government shares my desire to see a proper set of resolutions being found that stamps out racism and makes cricket a safe space for all in this country.”