Sports boss quits in row over 2012 legacy

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Derek Mapp stood down as chairman of Sport England after he was told to change his priorities just 14 months into the job. He warned the change of policy could be a "tragedy".

His resignation comes after sustained criticism that the sports legacy of the 2012 project - one of the key planks of the bid - remains unclear and uncosted.

Culture Secretary James Purnell told Sport England - the quango responsible for developing grassroots sport - that his department no longer wanted to fund recreational activities such as aerobics, dance and cyling. The funding was seen as crucial to a pledge to get two million more Britons active, using the Games as a catalyst.

However, after lobbying from mainstream sports, Mr Purnell has opted to prioritise development of activities such as rugby, football, netball and athletics. It is thought he would rather departments such as health and education help to fund recreational activities as they are part of a wider 2012 agenda to improve the nation's health.

Mr Mapp said: "It is with a heavy heart that I resign but any retention of my position will be selfish and make Sport England's job more difficult. Without the Secretary of State's support there is no point in subjecting Sport England to that.

"I am saddened by the fact that [Mr Purnell] has interpreted my pleas for caution in his enactment of a change of policy as anything other than wanting to protect the very individuals whose lives have been touched by this great organisation."

Mr Mapp was appointed in October 2006. His appointment attracted claims of cronyism because of his friendship with the then deputy prime minister John Prescott. He fell out with the Government after Olympics minister Tessa Jowell raided the Lottery for a second time to plug a gap in the 2012 budget. The move will cost Sport England around £100m and was described by Mr Mapp as a "cut too far".