Tyson Fury: Minister tells BBC to make decision over Sports Personality finalist's remarks

Petition to have him removed from the shortlist edged ever closer to its 150,000 target

Tyson Fury believes he has a chance of winning the BBC award, saying: ‘Good always defeats evil’ (PA)

The controversy over world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s recent outspoken comments on homosexuality, paedophilia and women reached Government level when sports minister Tracey Crouch called on the BBC to make a decision about his continued participation in the Sports Personality of the Year Award.

This followed a threat from Britain’s Olympic gold medal-winning long jumper Greg Rutherford to pull out of Spoty because of Fury’s inclusion on the shortlist. After talking with the BBC, Rutherford eventually withdrew his threat, but the repercussions from Fury’s beliefs refuse to die down.

Crouch said: “Not only is it a matter for the BBC but it is also a criminal investigation now. This is something I’m sure the BBC are taking incredibly seriously and it’s something they are going to have to look at and make a decision on.”

A petition to have him removed from the shortlist edged ever closer to its 150,000 target and Greater Manchester Police have also confirmed that they are launching a hate-crime investigation into Fury’s comments on homosexuality.

Fury, who was stripped of his IBF belt on Tuesday after rejecting a mandatory defence, has stood by his comments, saying: “Whatever I’ve said, I’ve said.” He responded to Rutherford’s stance by saying: “Who is he exactly?”

Rutherford completed a set of global titles when he was crowned long jump world champion in Beijing in August. The 29-year-old has held talks with the BBC over possibly withdrawing from the shortlist.

In a statement, he said: “I’ve been in discussions with the BBC regarding my involvement with Spoty after hearing what I believe to be very outdated and derogatory comments from a fellow nominee.

“Everybody has the right to freedom of speech, which is something that we as a society have struggled with and fought for generations to get to where we are now, but the nature of these comments undermine the struggles that we have been through.”

Rutherford first raised concerns with the BBC on Sunday but, following a series of discussions, changed his mind: “I asked myself, do I really want to disappoint my own family just because of a bigot’s views? The answer was no.”

He added: “The BBC have been hugely supportive in hearing my own views and I am hugely honoured and privileged to be included on the shortlist for such a prestigious event.”

Rutherford was backed by his girlfriend and the mother of his son Milo, Susie Verrill, who wrote of her pride at him “attempting to make a stand” but cryptically added: “Shame hands were tied”.

The Sports Journalists’ Association has withdrawn its invitation to Fury to attend next week’s British Sports Awards “as a consequence of threats made against at least one sports journalist, who has written about the boxer’s repugnant comments”.

Fury remains unapologetic and joked, with regards to Spoty: “I’m going to win this year. Good always defeats evil.” He repeatedly told a BBC reporter: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you’ll be saved.”