British Cycling coaches had total control over riders, insists Dr Freeman at Varnish tribunal

Richard Freeman, the former British Cycling and Team Sky doctor, wrote a written statement to Judge Ross, who is overseeing the former rider’s wrongful dismissal and sexual discrimination case against the sport’s governing body and UK Sport.

The doctor, who is at the centre of the General Medical Council's 'jiffy bag' probe at Team Sky and did not appear in person due to legal advice, wrote: "The control by the coaches over the athletes was complete - cycling is a coach-led sport.

Varnish was dropped by the British Cycling squad in 2016 before the Rio Olympic Games.

The 28-year-old has alleged she was the victim of bullying and sexist language, particularly from technical director Shane Sutton.

Sutton resigned in April 2016 and was later found guilty in an independent investigation of discriminatory language.

Freeman added in his statement that “non-compliance was not acceptable” because the British Cycling coaches were the only people who decided who would stay on the programme.

British Cycling's lawyer Thomas Linden QC ‘completely rejected’ the request that Freeman’s evidence should be admitted, stating it would give him ‘plausible deniability’ and make it possible for him to change his view given that it was unsigned.

However, Judge Ross allowed the evidence but stated that she would give it ‘very little weight’ in her deliberations.

British Cycling maintains that Varnish was dropped on performance issues alone. But the cyclist says she was akin to an employee of the sports body and funding agency UK Sport, and therefore entitled to basic workers' rights.

The case could impact how UK Sport offers grants to British athletes in future, forcing the body to introduce benefits and increased protection in the event of disputes or grievances.