Zara Hyde Peters said her decision to relinquish the role of CEO at UK Athletics is 'good for the sport' but was a 'painful' one to make.

The announcement came following a report by The Times in which allegations emerged that her husband Mike Peters was allowed to coach at a club while she was Vice-Chair despite him being banned from teaching for an 'inappropriate relationship' with a 15-year-old girl.

And while the move to step down was a tough one for Zara Peters to make, she insists it was the right one.

Speaking to Athletics Weekly, she said: "Trial by media is almost impossible to deal with and is not a process that properly protects the rights of those caught up in it.

"I have been a lifelong participant in - and contributor to - the sport of athletics. I have always respected the interests of the sport and my fellow competitors, the officials and all the many volunteers involved; these are the most important things to me."

Peters was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct as a result of the 'inappropriate relationship' after being cleared of sexual misconduct.

The situation arose while he was a PE teacher at Bilton High School in Warwickshire between 2004 and 2005.