A regional daily has scrapped plans to hold its annual business awards at the home of Yorkshire County Cricket Club amid the racism scandal engulfing the club.

The Yorkshire Post has decided to move its Excellence in Business Awards away from Headingley Stadium, saying it does “not wish to spend revenue with or be associated with the club”.

It comes after Yorkshire faced widespread criticism over their handling of an investigation into alleged racism against former player Azeem Rafiq, with a report finding use of the P-word against him by another player was “banter”.

The Post’s awards will now take place at Leeds’s Queens Hotel on 24 November, a week later than the orginal Headingley event was due to take place.

Headingley Stadium

Explaining the decision, editor James Mitchinson said: “These awards are designed to celebrate and champion the strength, diversity and inclusivity of Yorkshire’s world-class business community.

“The situation at Yorkshire County Cricket Club has been completely opposed to this mission, having brought disgrace and shame on the whole county.

“To stage our flagship event in front of hundreds of people in the shadow of the very arena in which Azeem Rafiq suffered such disgusting prejudice and abuse would have been completely unacceptable.”

Business editor Mark Casci added: “I appreciate that moving the date at such short notice will pose inconveniences for some people. On this matter, I sympathise but do not apologise.

“I must pay tribute to the event’s sponsors for their total and unwavering support of this decision. It does enormous credit to their respective organisations and the culture therein.

“The Excellence in Business Awards staged its inaugural event at the Queens Hotel and the ballroom has this year undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment.

“I am delighted to be able to move the event to the Queens and look forward to seeing you all on 24 November for what I am convinced will be our finest ever awards.”

HTFP reported on Friday how MyLondon race and diversity editor Unzela Khan had spoken out in the wake of the scandal after relaying her own experience of being called a “p***” in school.