Rattigan was removed with immediate effect, with the BBSA saying he "fundamentally breached" the national governing body's code of conduct.

The BBSA claimed it took the "unprecedented step" after Rattigan "fundamentally breached" the directors' code of conduct and "undermined the very organisation which he was appointed to serve".

It also claimed Rattigan's dismissal was "separate" to the independent investigation recently launched by UK Sport into the organisation in response to allegations of racism and bullying.

Rattigan has responded, claiming he has faced a series of issues at the BBSA.

Rattigan alleged there were "unethical acts of the Chair and two directors to stop the hiring of Tom De La Hunty" as performance director.

This is claimed to have left the organisation open to "reputational and financial damage as well as a legal challenge".

Rattigan has claimed there was a "subsequent attempt to fabricate the records by changing board documentation concerning the hiring process of Tom De La Hunty as Performance Director".

He has also alleged there was a potential unlawful sharing of athlete medical information in an attempt to influence athlete selection and a plan to pre-select athletes on the Board’s subjective judgment.

Rattigan claimed professional coaches were taken out of the decision-making process.

The two-time Olympian also alleged "bias and discriminatory actions by the chair and conflicted directors who sought to unfairly bias the selection process through their support of a senior bobsleigh driver, and black bobsleigh coaches who were subjected to discriminating treatment".

"These are just some of the issues I have faced over the past 11 months and tried to correct for the good of the sport," a statement from Rattigan read.

"However, the Chair and two directors, both of whom were involved with the BBSA during the previous UK Sport 2017 inquiry into racism, sexism, bullying and discrimination, chose to work against the Performance Development Plan established to increase performance in the British Bobsleigh Team and then to actively sabotage it.

“Most starkly, by having agreed to the selection of a highly respected performance coach and then successfully stopping his hiring.

"The Performance Development Plan had the full support of the majority of athletes and coaches.

"Following my questioning of the practice and procedure of the Board and what I believe to be the acceptance of failure for political ends, I was dismissed from the BBSA board on the 1st October 2020.

"Prior to my removal, on the 29th June 2020 an entrapment and unlawful data protection action took place post my reluctant filing of a complaint with UK Sport concerning the behaviour and code of the Chair and conflicted board members.

"This was following an extended period of harassment by a fellow BBSA board member which was reported to UK Sport on multiple occasions, without any action being taken.

"These two events are central to what I believe to be fabricated accusations and a gross misrepresentation of the statement that I “misinterpreted UK Sport’s advice," Rattigan continued.

"This advice pertains to my reporting of those incidents involving GDPR 2014 [General Data Protection Regulation] and the Equalities Act 2010 for which UK Sport does not have the legitimate authority to pursue to the appropriate statutory authorities.

"The actions taken by the BBSA were linked to the UK Sport investigation by virtue of the harassment complaint. 

"I, therefore, strongly refute the accusations made by the BBSA in their statement of 1st October 2020 and will pursue legal action.

"I have acted without fear or favour in my actions, taking a high performance, duty of care, sport governance and ethical route in carrying out my duties as a member of the BBSA.

"I looked forward to a fair and honest investigation, however, I require clarity around the process and witness statements which to date has not been forthcoming."

Rattigan, who competed for Britain in the bobsleigh at the Calgary 1988 and Albertville 1992 Winter Olympic Games, joined the BBSA Board in 2019.

This was part of a shake-up that followed another independent investigation by UK Sport in 2017 and a disappointing performance at Pyeongchang 2018.

The BBSA's bobsleigh funding was axed and the governing body was told by UK Sport that its £7.2 million ($9.3 million/€7.9million) investment in its successful skeleton programme was contingent on a major shake-up of the Board, resulting in half of the members stepping down.

When Rattigan was removed as BBSA director, the organisation said it would not comment on "the incidents which brought about this decision".

The incidents were claimed to be separate to the matters to be covered by the independent investigation commissioned by UK Sport.

"We welcome that investigation and are happy to cooperate fully,” the BBSA said at the time.

"We strongly refute the allegations raised in recent media reports and wish to be clear that we are yet to be presented with any evidence that supports them."