Jess Varnish has reiterated her claim that Shane Sutton made sexist comments towards her and brushed off accusations from the former British Cycling technical director’s wife that she is a liar.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Varnish said: “I stick by everything I said. Obviously the comments made to me by Shane, they are sexist, you wouldn’t say it to a guy. I don’t want to throw words around but it is what it is.”
Last month British Cycling upheld claims made by Varnish that Sutton used “inappropriate and discriminatory language” towards her. Varnish alleges that she was told to “go and have a baby” but Sutton still protests his innocence and, on the announcement of British Cycling’s ruling, his wife, Abbie, tweeted: “two words spring to mind when the word liar is used… Jess Varnish.”
“To call me a liar? They’re allowed their opinion but the investigation has answered that,” said Varnish. “Obviously I know the truth, everyone around me knows the truth and in this investigation the truth has come out. Before the investigation it was harder but now I’ve been backed up it’s just an absolute relief.”
Sutton has recently admitted telling Varnish to “lose some timber” but continues to deny allegations of sexism. “That conversation [with Varnish] has never taken place,” he said.
