Oral statement NI Assembly – Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA - Equality Commission review of the Ulster Boxing Council

Date published: 11 November 2025

Members will be aware that Daryl Clarke took a case against the Ulster Boxing Council alleging discrimination on religious grounds when he was not selected to represent Northern Ireland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

While the case was settled without admission of liability, part of the settlement was that the Irish Athletic Boxing Association and the Ulster Boxing Council would commit to a comprehensive review by the Equality Commission of the governance, practices and procedures applicable to it to ensure that they comply with the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 and any relevant codes of practice.

Mr Speaker, a number of details are now clear to me.

Firstly, it is my view that Daryl Clarke was discriminated against because he was a Protestant.

Secondly, many of the recommendations of Professor Duncan Morrow’s 2013 Independent Working Group into boxing have not been completed or fully implemented.

And thirdly, the recommendations made by the ECNI must be implemented in order to restore confidence and ensure that Ulster Boxing’s practices and those of IABA are not only fair but seen to be fair.

The status quo cannot continue. No one should think that they will not be able to progress in boxing, or any sport, based on their religion or community background.

Sport is too important. We know how it can change lives.

Through some of Northern Ireland’s darkest days, boxing was a sport that broke through divides and brought people together. It has played an important role and has done much for community relations in many working-class communities. We have proudly produced several world champions who have used their platform to demonstrate that religion or background doesn’t have to play a role in determining success. 

I recently had the privilege of visiting Monkstown Boxing Club as they marked the return of ten young people who had taken part in a Leadership Exchange Programme in South Africa. I was fascinated to learn about the impact of their visit on the communities who hosted them and on the young people themselves. It is also Daryl Clarke’s home club, where he is now Project Coordinator.

I want to thank him for standing up for himself and for many others like him. It wasn’t the easiest thing to do – that would have been to do nothing. But he persevered, not just for his own sake but for those who would be coming after him.

We now have a report from the Equality Commission and clear recommendations.

The Commission’s findings echo Professor Duncan Morrow’s 2013 report, which gathered dust while the old guard clung to control. Those recommendations were never completed; many were simply ignored. Today, Mr Speaker, that ignorance ends.

I will take the opportunity to outline some of the recommendations and next steps that I will be taking.

Firstly, the review recommends transparent pathways, published standards, and selection processes. This guidance must be clearly communicated and will be based on objective measures and the principle of merit.

Secondly, the review rightly calls for a code of conduct which includes the display of emblems, flags, and other displays of identity. Safe venues for boxers should be a non-negotiable for all inter-club and Championship events.

The review also highlights the long-overdue social media policy, which was drafted in response to the Independent Working Group but again, not implemented.

Finally, the review makes clear that Protestants are under-represented on county boards, UBC committees and IABA structures. In order for decision making to properly reflect the respect and balance required for all communities in Northern Ireland, it is recommended there is co-option of new members, and capacity building to ensure this important balance is struck.

Mr Speaker, today I am announcing a new oversight panel for this process. This Panel will be established under my direct control and will complete within 18 months. I will ensure that it properly holds the IABA and UBC to account with public progress reports. Let me remind this house again, these organisations receive public funding through arm’s length bodies of my department, any further slippage will not be tolerated.

The Commission has also undertaken to engage further with the IABA and UBC to ensure that next steps are implemented with rigour and in a timely fashion. Mr Speaker, I wish to put on record my thanks to Chief Commissioner Geraldine McGahey and the Chief Executive Louise Conlon for their work on this Report and for the briefing they provided me with when we met last month.

My hope is that if fully implemented as the Commission intends, these measures will have the effect of increasing confidence in boxing as an inclusive sport for all communities across Northern Ireland.

Let me send a message to all of our young sporting hopefuls – I want you to fulfil your aspirations. I want you to be able to compete and not have to worry about the impact that your faith or community background will have on your ability to progress.

Merit, not identity must be the determining factor.

I will do all in my power to ensure that the recommendations are implemented and if not, those who are responsible will be held to account.

There must be no going back. There must be no acceptance of the status quo. Change is needed, change must be delivered and I will ensure that happens. There is too much at stake to do nothing.

To Daryl and others like him. I’m sorry for the barriers that you have faced and the opportunities that have been lost. That is not your fault – and we must ensure it doesn’t happen again.

I commend the statement to the house.