THE leader of a Yorkshire political party has called for an entirely new board at Yorkshire County Cricket Club after what he has called "their wholly inadequate" response to racism allegations.

Yorkshire Party leader Bob Buxton said he was sickened by what has happened and the attempt to write off racist slurs as "banter" is "disgraceful."

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The comments come after a former cricketer for the club said he was close to taking his own life after detailing racism encountered at Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

Dr Buxton said: "I’ve seen county and international matches at Headingley, including a world cup warmup between England and Pakistan in 2019. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, fans of both sides chatting amicably and getting on.

"Better still, when Jos Butler threw his gloves into the crowd at the end, I caught one and a Pakistan fan gave me the other. I support Pakistan as a second team because of that act of kindness.”

“I’ve never witnessed any racism at Headingley. Yet the actions of a few in the past and, moreover, the inactions of the board in the present, have brought shame on us as a county. The Yorkshire Party called for the whole board to resign and, thankfully, that seems to be happening.”

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Dr Buxton concluded: “I hope that, once proper action is taken against racism, international matches can return to Headingley, for everyone’s sake.”

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