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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Sports bosses sacked in shake-up | Sports bosses sacked in shake-up |
| (30 minutes 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 Donnelly | This 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". | |
| 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 our 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, while pointing out that a number of sporting bodies - as well as Ms Bracewell - had welcomed the decision. | |
| 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." |
| Labour said the clear-out was a "double blow" to Scottish sport, while the Liberal Democrats raised concern that ministers had "taken revenge" in the wake of the U-turn. |