Stephen Fry was cleared of misconduct by Marylebone Cricket Membership yesterday after accusing the establishment of ‘stinking of privilege and classism’.
His feedback had been made on a panel discussing racism in cricket on the Welsh literature competition and have reportedly triggered ‘outrage’ inside the membership the place he’s nonetheless a member and was president from 2022 to 2023.
The furore, revealed within the Mail earlier this month, was sparked when the actor advised the Hay Literature Pageant: ‘It (MCC) has a public face that’s deeply disturbing, form of beetroot-coloured gentleman in yellow-and-orange blazers sitting on this house in entrance of the Lengthy Room and looking out as in the event that they’d come out of an Edwardian cartoon.’
The remarks noticed the previous MCC president, 66, accused by members of hypocrisy and breaking the physique’s code of conduct.
However yesterday, the membership dismissed the complaints, including that Fry’s feedback had been ‘not an assault on Members of the MCC’.
Stephen Fry pictured on the Lord’s Cricket Floor final yr. The comic and author has now been cleared of misconduct by Marylebone Cricket Membership after accusing the establishment of ‘stinking of privilege and classism’
The writer reportedly additionally stated that the annual Eton versus Harrow public college match, which is historically hosted by the 237-year-old membership at Lord’s Cricket Floor (pictured) was a main instance of this privilege
Mark Milliken-Smith KC, chair of the membership’s disciplinary panel, stated in his judgement: ‘There aren’t any problems with misconduct raised when your feedback are pretty and correctly thought-about of their wider and full context.’
The writer reportedly additionally stated that the annual Eton versus Harrow public college match, which is historically hosted by the 237-year-old membership at Lord’s Cricket Floor in north-west London, was a main instance of this privilege.
It comes after Fry was accused by the MCC member, Chris Waterman, of constructing racist and misogynistic jokes throughout a membership dinner final yr.
Mr Waterman alleged the QI host referred to an beginner cricket workforce referred to as the Allahakbarries and joked the time period ‘Allahu akbar’ was normally adopted by a ‘loud bang’.
However MCC bosses launched a disciplinary listening to into Mr Waterman quite than Fry, claiming he had introduced the membership into disrepute by placing the writer’s feedback into the general public area.
In 2022, the MCC Chairman of the £800 a yr membership acquired a six-month suspension after numerous members complained when he was over-heard making a misplaced gaffe about colostomy baggage.
On the MCC’s annual assembly, Bruce Carnegie Brown’s microphone was switched again on earlier than members had returned to their seats after a break.
Unknowingly, he whispered to the treasurer: ‘I anticipate they’re taking an age to empty their colostomy baggage,’ but it surely was overheard by a girl listening on-line and the Lloyds chairman was requested to make a big donation to Colostomy UK.
However members had been upset with the low-level punishment and referred to as for his suspension which was permitted by the Disciplinary Committee.
Earlier this month Fry threatened to stop the all-male Garrick Membership except members voted to confess ladies.
The movement handed, which means ladies – probably together with classicist Dame Mary Beard and broadcaster Cathy Newman – can be part of the 193-year-old establishment.
A consultant for Fry stated: ‘MCC Comms are dealing with the response to this matter, and Stephen Fry doesn’t have any additional feedback.’
Fry’s representatives have been approached for remark.
