YORKSHIRE chairman Roger Hutton is to be called by the parliamentary Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee to answer for the club’s handling of Azeem Rafiq’s racism claims.

Rafiq, a former White Rose player over two spells between 2008 and 2018, first made allegations of institutional racism at the county over a year ago and an independent report commissioned by Yorkshire upheld that he had been a victim of “racial harassment and bullying”. Despite issuing what was termed a “full apology”, no employees of the club will face any further action.

ESPNcricinfo then published what it claimed to be details of the report, including a senior player’s admission that he had repeatedly used the word “P***” in reference to Rafiq, which was subsequently deemed to be “in the spirit of friendly banter”.

Now the situation has escalated on a political level with the DCMS committee confirming that it will be holding an evidence session on the matter.

DCMS chair Julian Knight said in a statement: “This is extremely concerning and it’s clear that Yorkshire County Cricket Club has questions to answer.

“We have monitored developments around the club’s handling of the serious allegations made by Azeem Rafiq.

“We want to see much greater transparency from YCCC – it is time for them to answer their critics. We intend to call the Chair of the club before the DCMS Committee to give a much fuller explanation than we have had so far.”

Yorkshire officials have refrained from publishing their full report into the allegations made by Rafiq in 2020, citing legal reasons.

However, the ECB is investigating the document, which is said to contain graphic details of the abuse directed towards Rafiq.

The MP for Leeds North West – the constituency which covers Yorkshire's home ground at Headingley – made clear yesterday that he would not allow the issue to rest.

Labour’s Alex Sobel tweeted: “I am very concerned to read today’s report. It’s not acceptable for any organisation to say clearly racist language is just banter.”

Sobel confirmed that he had arranged a meeting with Rafiq and would be seeking further information.