Former national sprint coach Anthony Peden has dismissed the findings of an independent review into Cycling New Zealand's High Performance Programme.
Michael Heron QC headed the review, which was instigated by CNZ and High Performance Sport New Zealand after Peden's resignation in May.
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Peden's left amid rumour and innuendo around a programme culture that included bullying, an inappropriate relationship between coach and athlete, and a lack of leadership.
Heron interviewed more than 70 people as part of the review and concluded that the allegations against Peden were true.
The report found an inappropriate relationship between Peden and a female team member began in Bordeaux in 2016, before the Rio Olympics - that relationship wasn't disclosed to CNZ.
That athlete received special treatment, including organised training sessions with the men's sprint team and a suggestions of favouritism.
Peden was also found to have pressured athletes into lying to the CEO about the allegations, as well as several other cases of bullying, including fat-shaming a former member of the team, who left under duress.
The 48-year-old declined to be interviewed by Heron, but was given a right of reply to the report’s findings. He has rubbished the report, claiming the results were unreliable and based on inaccurate evidence.
In a letter to Heron, penned by his lawyer, Peden criticised the entire review process.
"The evidence obtained and relied on is predominately second and third-hand, and includes conjecture, perception, anecdote, hearsay, gossip and rumour," the letter read.
"That the evidence is intrinsically unreliable was inevitable as a result of the process followed.
"None of the interviews with the 70-odd witnesses were recorded by you [Herron] and while notes were purportedly taken, there is no indication these notes were approved, let alone sworn or affirmed by oath.
"Mr Peden has never seen this material and it appears each witness's identity has been anonymised."
Peden's lawyer, Lisa Hansen, noted that her client was well within his right to “chuck an equal amount of mud against those who provided the unreliable and inaccurate evidence”, but chose to remain silent.
The letter then cautioned Heron about releasing his "flawed" findings.
"You, as an enquirer, must proceed very cautiously before drawing any firm adverse conclusions where little or no direct and tested evidence has been provided. Care is particularly required when the state of the evidence is consistent with alternative and more benign conclusions."
In conclusion, there was somewhat of concession from Peden, with the letter stating: "While Mr Peden considers the report contains numerous factual and other errors, he has reflected on his behaviour and is committed to ensuring no criticism can be legitimately levelled at him in the future."
On Monday, Heron was unflappable in response, telling reporters that the evidence he gathered left him in no doubt that the claims against Peden were true.
"Mr Peden has not presented to be an alternate narrative, so you can make of that what you will."
Newshub.
