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Sports bosses sacked in shake-up Sports bosses sacked in shake-up
(about 1 hour later)
Ministers have ordered a clear-out at the top of Scotland's two national sporting agencies.Ministers have ordered a clear-out at the top of Scotland's two national sporting agencies.
Sportscotland chairwoman Julia Bracewell, as well as Institute of Sport chairman, broadcaster Dougie Donnelly, have been sacked.Sportscotland chairwoman Julia Bracewell, as well as Institute of Sport chairman, broadcaster Dougie Donnelly, have been sacked.
The move followed the Scottish Government's decision to merge the boards of the organisations.The move followed the Scottish Government's decision to merge the boards of the organisations.
Mr Donnelly said athletes' prospects would be damaged by a "ridiculous" piece of political manoeuvring.Mr Donnelly said athletes' prospects would be damaged by a "ridiculous" piece of political manoeuvring.
Mr Donnelly told BBC Scotland he had been asked to quit - and had not stepped down by choice - while Ms Bracewell, a former Olympic fencer, added that she was "disappointed" by the moves.Mr Donnelly told BBC Scotland he had been asked to quit - and had not stepped down by choice - while Ms Bracewell, a former Olympic fencer, added that she was "disappointed" by the moves.
This is not about sport, it's about politics Dougie DonnellyThis is not about sport, it's about politics Dougie Donnelly
The pair will formally stand down on 15 February and an interim chairman of sportscotland will be appointed from the current board as the search begins for a permanent replacement "as soon as possible".The pair will formally stand down on 15 February and an interim chairman of sportscotland will be appointed from the current board as the search begins for a permanent replacement "as soon as possible".
Mr Donnelly said: "I'm disappointed, clearly not for me because this is not about me.Mr Donnelly said: "I'm disappointed, clearly not for me because this is not about me.
"It's about the institute, it's about 55 full-time staff and about another 50 - all of whose jobs are to ensure that we have Scottish sporting success - and, of course, it is about the athletes whose chances of that sporting success have, without any doubt, been damaged by this ridiculous piece of political manoeuvring."It's about the institute, it's about 55 full-time staff and about another 50 - all of whose jobs are to ensure that we have Scottish sporting success - and, of course, it is about the athletes whose chances of that sporting success have, without any doubt, been damaged by this ridiculous piece of political manoeuvring.
"I cannot see any benefit at all to out athletes and, I'm afraid, this is not about sport, it's about politics." "I cannot see any benefit at all to our athletes and, I'm afraid, this is not about sport, it's about politics."
The merger was embroiled in controversy when it was announced last week after details went to the media before MSPs.The merger was embroiled in controversy when it was announced last week after details went to the media before MSPs.
'National benefits''National benefits'
The SNP, whose election manifesto included a commitment to scrap sportscotland, were accused of a U-turn.The SNP, whose election manifesto included a commitment to scrap sportscotland, were accused of a U-turn.
But the Scottish Government said the new structure would cut bureaucracy and boost support for grassroots and elite sport.But the Scottish Government said the new structure would cut bureaucracy and boost support for grassroots and elite sport.
Sport Minister Stewart Maxwell paid tribute to the "positive contribution" Mr Donnelly and Ms Bracewell had played in developing sport, adding: "This is a time of considerable change, not only for sportscotland, but also for Scottish sport as a whole.Sport Minister Stewart Maxwell paid tribute to the "positive contribution" Mr Donnelly and Ms Bracewell had played in developing sport, adding: "This is a time of considerable change, not only for sportscotland, but also for Scottish sport as a whole.
"The new organisation will drive forward this government's policy of simplifying the sporting landscape, ensuring the interests of sport remain paramount, and the whole nation benefits.""The new organisation will drive forward this government's policy of simplifying the sporting landscape, ensuring the interests of sport remain paramount, and the whole nation benefits."