Read panel's damning verdict on Robbie Dunne's bullying of Bryony Frost

In handing down a guilty verdict on four charges that Robbie Dunne bullied and harassed Bryony Frost, the three-person independent disciplinary panel were not obliged to give detailed explanation, with written reasons set to be published in due course. But in what he described as a "short ruling", panel chair Brian Barker QC delivered a withering rebuke not only to Dunne but to the culture around him in the weighing room that failed to check his behaviour towards Frost.

We have in mind that what has to be shown, on the balance of probabilities, is behaviour which is prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of racing in this country. It is common ground that the heart of the case is our conclusion as to what was said and done and the weight that we give to the reliability of those called to give evidence.

We don't ignore the fact that the sport is one of constant danger and unpredictability with falls and injury a constant fear.

The need then for trust and respect is paramount. The need is also in an environment and workplace where men and women compete with courage on equal terms, safe in the knowledge that the standards universal in other walks of life will apply.

Our conclusion then on the whole of the evidence is that a course of deliberate conduct over a significant period of time has been revealed.

It has progressed from disgraceful targeting, through deliberate harassment both on and off the course, and onwards to occasional cases of dangerous bullying.

We find that the words used on September 3 were as a promise to cause real harm and were over and above the usual jockey mantra of "murdering".

Who is Robbie Dunne? From struggling conditional to weighing room 'enforcer'

On examination of Miss Frost's evidence and demeanour we find her to be truthful, careful and compelling. By taking her complaint to the authority she has broken the code, knowing that isolation and rejection by some was inevitable.

Our view is supported in a number of areas.

The first is the published Instagram [sic] comments on the Virtual Grand National.

Second is the snatched apology at Bangor.

The third is the video of the encounter in the pull-up area at Stratford, combined with the independence and the solid evidence of the fence attendant, and also the acceptance of at least some offensive behaviour at Southwell. And that’s all followed by Miss Frost’s unofficial report to the BHA.

The evidence of Miss [Hannah] Welch, which we also found persuasive, is admissible support of attitude and of stepping beyond the bounds.

In acknowledging that after the Southwell race, Mr Dunne believed that Miss Frost was the cause of his mount's death and that he had suffered a fall, we are unable to accept Mr Dunne's sweep of denials, criticisms and his reasoning. A man who in the view of one of his own witnesses was a "pisstaker" and who regarded himself as one of the elders of the weighing room and someone who expected his view to be heeded.

We find the four elements set out in rule J19 allegation, we find all levels proven.

Barker then added two short observations as to the wider relevance of the case.

The tenor and type of language that we find was used towards Ms Frost is totally unacceptable, whatever the frustrations about her style and whatever the habits of the weighing room. They fall squarely within the ambit of the prohibition set out in the rule.

Secondly, in reviewing the evidence given and the approach by jockeys of repute as well as by the valets – who probably find themselves in a difficult position – we have real concern that what was referred to by Mr [Louis] Weston as the "weighing room culture" is deep-rooted and coercive.

Read more on this subject:

Robbie Dunne banned for 18 months for bullying and harassing Bryony Frost

Comment: weighing room culture allowed a poisonous situation to fester – it must change

BHA chief rejects 'rancid' picture of weighing room but says racing must change

'Absolute disgrace' – jockeys' body slams BHA over weighing room claims

As it happened: Robbie Dunne disciplinary hearing chronology

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