Michael Holding and Ebony Rainford-Brent given Freedom of the City of London

Michael Holding and Ebony Rainford-Brent have been recognised for their courageous stand against racism by being given the Freedom of the City of London.
The former cricketers and current pundits will be awarded the Freedom during a private virtual ceremony at 3.30pm on Tuesday.
Both received widespread praise this summer for speaking on Sky Sports about the racism they experienced in English cricket.
The ex-cricketer Michael Holding discusses racial inequality, which he claims is evident by portrayals of black people in religion and society.
Watch more videos from Sky News here: https://t.co/4LQIBDk7Kh pic.twitter.com/FRDR8nFqgc
— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 8, 2020
Fast bowling great Holding described people as “sick” after hearing racist comments in Australia and then again on his first West Indies tour of England in 1976.
Rainford-Brent, the first black woman to play for England and a World Cup winner in 2009, said she had to deal with racism “as soon as I walked into the world of cricket” and that she often asked herself why she stayed in the game.
William Russell, Lord Mayor of the City of London, said: “It is entirely right to call out prejudice in all its forms, wherever and whenever it is experienced, and Ebony and Michael have taken a courageous stand in speaking out against racism in this country and even, within their sport, in which they have both excelled.
“I want to see accelerated change in all areas of society.” @ejrainfordbrent discusses racism in sport and looks at what cricket can do to increase diversity in the game. 🏏 pic.twitter.com/s21701vOxD
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 8, 2020
“The granting of the Freedom of the City of London, which it is my privilege to support wholeheartedly, recognises how they have added their voices to the growing global movement to stamp out racism, and is given with our sincere gratitude.”
People are nominated for, or apply for, the Freedom and it can also be offered to individuals by the City of London Corporation to help celebrate a significant achievement or to pay tribute to their outstanding contribution to London life or public life.
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2013: England suffer Champions Trophy final defeat to India
England suffered a huge batting collapse in the rain-affected one-day game.
-
Caribbean Premier League
The 6ixty – Chris Gayle ambassador for new white-ball format in the Caribbean
The tournament has branded itself as “Cricket’s Power Game”.
-
England
Jos Buttler gives his backing to Eoin Morgan amid England captain’s poor form
The stand-in led the side to victory over the Netherlands as the regular skipper missed the game with a groin issue.
-
England
Ben Stokes stresses England players have ‘a responsibility on and off field’
The Headingley Test, which at one point looked in danger due to racism allegations at Yorkshire, gets under way on Thursday.
-
England
Ben Stokes excited to unleash Jamie Overton’s pace against New Zealand
Overton is set to make his Test debut on Thursday.
-
News
Jason Roy hits century as England crush the Netherlands to seal clean sweep
Jos Buttler and Roy led England to an eight-wicket win.
-
England
Heather Knights insists there is room for Test cricket in the women’s game
England will play South Africa in a multi-format series consisting of one Test, three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches.
-
England
England set 245 to wrap up one-day international clean sweep of the Netherlands
In Morgan’s absence, Jos Buttler captained the tourists.
-
New Zealand
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson returns to face England at Headingley
Williamson missed the second Test after testing positive for coronavirus.
-
England
Jamie Overton to make England debut in third Test against New Zealand
Record wicket-taker Anderson, 39, has been withdrawn after experiencing pain in his ankle.