Yorkshire accounts "in chaos" tribunal told

Yorkshire's dirty linen continues to be washed in public, and a report in today's Yorkshire Post reveals that Anthony Panaro, their former commercial director, was told to lie to the police by Chris Hassell, Yorkshire's former chief executive.

Panaro, who was sacked by the county last year, told a Leeds tribunal that Hassell demanded that he change his story regarding an alleged cash payment to David Gower if he "wanted to keep his job". Panaro is suing Yorkshire for unfair dismissal.

Gower was paid £1000 for speaking at a cricket dinner to celebrate Yorkshire's Championship win in 2001, but, according to Panaro, was also given £2000 in cash from the raffle held on the night. The matter came to light when Hassell was questioned by the Yorkshire committee about a shortfall in the proceeds from the raffle

But David Ryder, the county's chief accountant since 1975, maintained that Panaro was responsible for a string of loss-making deals as well as for the submission of bonus claims he was not entitled to. Ryder did, however, admit that Gower was paid more than the £1000 fee shown in the official accounts.

What will cause concern within the membership are Panaro's revelations of the lax financial controls at the county. He told the tribunal that "cheques and cash were often left on desks and in drawers" and "accounting practices were in complete chaos". He added that he believed he had been made a scapegoat for Yorkshire's dire financial problems.

Panaro said that he had raised the issues with the chairman of finance but nothing had been done because "it was his department I was directly criticising".

The hearing continues, but the information coming to light will cause grave concern among Yorkshire's long-suffering membership.