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Whistle-blower Lewis has no regrets

Leicestershire all-rounder Chris Lewis said on Friday that he has no regrets about pitching England into the match-fixing scandal.

Lewis was criticised by English Cricket Board chairman Lord MacLaurin after it was decided that there was not enough evidence to substantiate Lewis' claims that three England Test stars had taken money from an Indian businessman.

While accepting the findings of the inquiry, the Lewis camp was stunned by MacLaurin's statement which implied that the player had refused to co-operate when the allegations first came to light last August.

Lewis's agent Gareth James challenged the ECB to release notes made during a meeting between the two parties at the start of the investigation - where it was claimed that an agreement was reached that Lewis should not name the men involved.

Lord MacLaurin on Friday defended international team's director Simon Pack - whose conduct during the saga was condemned by James - as a man of integrity, adding that the notes of the meeting were private and would not be released.

Lewis however remains tainted by the events of the last two weeks, but is adamant that his actions were correct.

"I told the truth and whether people choose to believe that is up to them," he told the Press Association.

"I am extremely comfortable with what I have done but it seems as though people want to play politics.

"I have said my piece and told the authorities exactly what happened at the time.

"Really, there is nothing more to add now other than get into name calling and I do not see the worth in that."

MacLaurin said that no action would be taken against Lewis for his public pronouncements, although the ECB clearly wish the player had kept his mouth shut.

A Scotland Yard investigation into the approach made to Lewis and New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming is proceeding. And, unless MacLaurin relents and releases the evidence which James believes will clear his client's name, it seems this part of the match-fixing scandal will be laid to rest.

"I am not disappointed about what has been said, it is life," shrugged Lewis as he prepared for the third day of his county's championship clash against Derbyshire.

"What people do now is up to them.

"I am not concerned about what the ECB are doing. I have told my story as it happened, I am happy with my conduct and there is nothing else to add."