Hopes for media representation at the Tony Peter Lidocaine Inquiry to be held in Johannesburg on Friday were dashed on Thursday afternoon when the Inquiry Board declined to permit a media presence and to live-stream the hearing.
Representations from the Peter counsel to open the hearing were opposed by the National Horseracing Authority, and apparently included an argument that it would not be in the public interest.
The Sporting Post had earlier requested in writing that the hearing be opened and Tony Peter supported the call via his counsel.
It was our intention to have a journalist attend the Inquiry, probably the singularly most important one of its kind in some years, given the division and debate that has riddled social media in recent months.
The records sadly show that the National Horseracing Authority failed to even offer us the minimum courtesy of a response, which can only be interpreted as an indictment on their attitude to transparency and public information.
The Board will provide reasons for their decision at a later time.
The Inquiry starts at 09h00 on Friday.
Watch this space for further news.
