The security director at the Jockey Club has resigned following the Panorama programme which alleged corruption in horse racing.

Major General Jeremy Phipps came under intense pressure after being secretly filmed making disparaging remarks about the Jockey Club and its members.

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In the covert recording, made during a meeting with his predecessor Roger Buffham, Phipps questioned the backbone of the organisation to deal with corruption and described members as "ignorant".

Fall Guy

Senior steward Christopher Spence said on Wednesday evening, that he had accepted Jeremy Phipps' resignation "with great regret."

"In his short time with the Jockey Club, first as acting head of security and then as director of security, he has contributed a great deal," added Mr Spence.

He also said that Phipps had restored morale and confidence since taking over the running of the security department.

In his resignation letter Phipps, who had only been in the post for eight months, claimed he was "the fall guy" for the Jockey Club's recent troubles.

The former SAS man also re-iterated his claim that he had asked whether he was being recorded, and had been told no. A claim which has been denied by Panorama's producers.

Questions

I am sad for him

Stephen Scott, Panorama producer

Panorama producer Stephen Scott, who before the programme said he hoped that Phipps would not become a scapegoat, was not gloating.

He said: "I am sad for him. My professional reaction is that the Jockey Club have now lost two security directors within a short period of time.

"One man who believes he was got rid of for telling the truth about corruption. The second man has lost his job for telling the truth about the powers of regulation at the Jockey Club.

"This does not help answer the questions raised by Panorama regarding corruption."