FERGIES MATE IN CORRUPTION CLAIM

Last updated : 17 September 2002 By newshound

Mike Dillon, the public face of Ladbrokes, Britain's biggest bookmakers, had his name dragged into allegations of widespread corruption in racing last night.

Mike Dillon The public relations director is named in court papers which reveal he was the subject of a three-year inquiry by the Jockey Club into his close relationship with Michael Kinane, one of the world's top jockeys.

The documents also disclose the link between known criminals and jockeys and an investigation by Greater Manchester police into the infiltration of racing by Chinese Triads in north-west England.

Dillon is one of the best known people in racing. An avid Manchester United fan, he introduced Sir Alex Ferguson to the sport and advised him to buy a share in Rock of Gibraltar, one of the most successful horses in history.

Panorama has identified a series of "interwoven but identifiable strands containing examples of corruption and an account of what the Jockey Club has done or failed to do," according to a witness statement to the High Court by Stephen Scott, the programme's producer.

In his judgment, Mr Justice Gray said: "The strands relate to a serious criminal said to be involved in horse doping-race fixing and the bribing of jockeys; the alleged involvement of various jockeys in a variety of corrupt activities; and information concerning relationships between jockeys and trainers on the one hand and bookmakers on the other."