AN investigation into allegations of bullying, elitism and corruption at the British Equestrian Federation looks set to continue past its initial planned completion date.

The BEF commissioned an independent review following comments made by the organisation’s former chief executive Clare Salmon in her resignation letter four months ago.

A three-member independent review panel has been led by John Mehrzad, the head of the sports law group at Littleton Chambers. He also worked on the panel which investigated the welfare of athletes at British Cycling last year.

It is understood that a draft report has yet to be filed with the BEF board or other senior figures within the organisation. It had been hoped to complete the review by today.

The panel has interviewed a number of high-ranking staff within the BEF organisation, with conversations that have lasted more than two hours in some individual instances.

The BEF serves as an umbrella organisation for 15 full and four associate bodies involved in British equestrian sport, including the Olympic disciplines of showjumping, dressage and eventing.

The BEF is the latest sports governing body to face negative allegations about its culture, after reviews were conducted at British Cycling, British Swimming and British Bobsleigh.

Announcing the review earlier this year, the BEF said terms of reference for the independent review would include, but not be limited to, “issues of alleged elitism, self-interest, bullying and corruption”.

The review will also look at whether there were “fundamental relationship issues within and between the organisations involved in British equestrian sport”.

It it also understood that concerns were raised by several full BEF bodies about Salmon’s leadership. She was only in post for 17 months.

Once the review is complete, a draft report will be presented back to the BEF board “and any other relevant parties” for their comments before the completed report is published and findings made public.

The independent panel will be expected to provide recommendations “with respect to the values, behaviour, character and the culture of the BEF moving forward”.

London 2012 Great Britain showjumping team gold medallist Peter Charles said: “If allegations of bullying and corruption have been made, then they need to be investigated at the highest level and very thoroughly.

“A review is only good if it brings some good.

“If there are problems there, they find them and they come up with solutions, great.

“If the review can come up with good solutions, then everyone would welcome it.”

The costs for the review are being shared between the BEF, Sport England and UK Sport.