MCC member who accused Stephen Fry of making racist and sexist jokes has his membership SUSPENDED

An MCC member who claimed Stephen Fry made racist and misogynist jokes at a dinner has had his membership suspended ahead of the Ashes Test at Lord’s. 

Long-time MCC critic Chris Waterman, 75, had alleged that the club’s president voiced offensive remarks during an event earlier this year and lodged an official complaint. 

However, bosses launched a disciplinary hearing into Waterman, rather than Fry, claiming that he had brought MCC into disrepute by putting Fry’s alleged comments into the public domain.

And – ahead of the Lord’s Test which starts on Wednesday – they handed down an 18-month suspension viewed by some as ‘draconian’. 

Waterman, who will now not be permitted entry to the upcoming Ashes fixture in north west London, said that Fry had stunned the audience at a Lord’s gathering. 

MCC President Stephen Fry (pictured) was accused of making sexist and racist jokes at a club dinner by Chris Waterman

As a consequence, Waterman will miss the second Test at the club’s ground, Lord’s, this week 

He claimed the 65-year-old actor and comedian had opened his speech by saying: ‘I had intended to say “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen” but there are no lady members present. I suppose they are off sh*gging.’ 

Waterman, who has previously branded MCC top brass a ‘geriatric chumocracy’ added that Fry had later referred to an amateur cricket team called the Allahakbarries and joked that the term ‘Allahu akbar’ was usually followed by a ‘loud bang’. 

MCC bosses disputed those claims, with chief executive Guy Lavender describing Waterman’s account as ‘factually incorrect’. Some other diners said the misogynistic joke was misheard and that the racist one was not made. 

MCC subsequently brought disciplinary proceedings against Waterman but are not thought to have examined whether Fry made the comments as claimed. 

Instead they have slapped Waterman, a retired education authority executive, with an 18-month suspension. The ban is effective immediately, although the final 12 months are suspended for 18 months. 

Waterman declined to comment although it is understood that he is unlikely to appeal. Friends disclosed that he will seek tickets from touts for the second Test. MCC declined to comment, stating that ‘all disciplinary matters involving members are of a confidential nature’. Fry also did not wish to comment. 

Last summer MCC chairman Bruce Carnegie-Brown was disciplined when, during an extended break at the AGM he quipped that members were ‘taking an age to empty their colostomy bags’. 

However, Carnegie-Brown’s six-month suspension was suspended for two years. ‘It seems a draconian punishment and, given Carnegie-Brown’s punishment, highly hypocritical,’ said one member who did not wish to be named. 

‘And I’d imagine given there is public interest in the goings on of MCC, Mr Waterman may have a solid argument should he decide to take the legal route.’ 

Founded in 1787, the MCC owns Lord’s, which has been the club’s home for over 200 years

England (pictured at Lord’s on June 26) will seek to restore terms with Australia during the second Test, which starts at the storied ground on Wednesday