Former England rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster is part of the five-strong panel set to review the culture within British Cycling’s World Class Programme.

The review comes after allegations were made against Shane Sutton and other members of the BC set up of sexism and discrimination, emerging after track sprinter Jess Varnish was dropped from the programme.

The independent review panel, chaired by British Rowing’s Annamarie Phelps, also contains barrister John Mehrzad – the chair of the Football Association’s Anti-Discrimination panel – and Annie Panter – the bronze medal-winning hockey player and now trader at Goldman Sachs.

A fifth member is yet to be appointed and UK Sport says there is the option to bring in additional members once all submissions have been reviewed.

Phelps said: “This expert panel has the range of skills and experience to enable us to conduct a thorough and robust review.

“The panel will work swiftly and diligently to assess the evidence and compile a report in the interest of the sport.

“I would encourage anyone still considering making a submission to do so, in complete confidence, to Sport Resolutions UK.”

The review will conclude after this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.