Rugby-RFU disciplinary officer Blackett says will not resign

LONDON, July 15 (Reuters) - The English Rugby Football Union's (RFU) disciplinary officer Jeff Blackett said on Friday he would not resign following his controversial report into the organisation and running of sport's biggest and richest union.

Blackett had been asked to investigate the recruitment process which led to the appointment of former chief executive John Steele but was furious when RFU chairman Martyn Thomas threatened legal action over his findings, leading to the RFU opting not to publish the report.

Thomas stood down on Sunday but will stay on as acting chief executive after Blackett's report made recommendations in the wake of a bungled attempt to bring in a performance director.

Steele was removed last month following the chaotic handling of recruitment for the new post, with the job description changing twice in two days and leading former World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward to rule himself out of the running.

"The report contains some criticism of the former chairman of the RFU, the board and some of the governance of the union," Blackett said in an RFU statement on Friday.

"We were particularly very disappointed about the amount of leaking of confidential information which caused significant reputational damage to the union.

"The recommendations were designed to restore confidence in the union, to begin to rebuild its tarnished reputation and to start a process to improve our governance.

"Council received the report and, following extensive debate, they decided not to implement all of our recommendations and left those relating to governance on the table for further discussion.

"They also voted after debate not to publish the report. Whether or not the report is published is now a matter for them and not me because they have taken ownership of it.

"My panel and I were disappointed by Council's decisions and I indicated that I would have to consider my position."

Blackett said he had been caused the "most distress" by a threat of legal proceedings against his panel for defamation if the report was published.

However, he said he had decided to stay on in the job because of the "overwhelming messages of support from all levels of rugby".