The new code of conduct was introduced on Wednesday at the club’s AGM. A female member claimed she had been assaulted in the pavilion, with no one coming to her aid, while a male member said he had been on the receiving end of anti-semitic abuse. The latter incident was referred to the police.

The blueprint, published on the Lord’s website yesterday, reads: “Respect is central to the Spirit of Cricket. Cricket is an exciting game that encourages leadership, friendship and teamwork, which brings together people from different nationalities, cultures and religions.

“In the same way, MCC expects that Members respect and support each other, the Club, Lord’s and all who visit or work there. Any conduct demonstrating a failure to show respect, including abusive, discriminatory or inappropriate behaviour or language, will be considered a breach of the Rules of the Club and render a Member liable to expulsion or suspension.”

[breakout id=”0″][/breakout]The website also said that MCC members had voted “overwhelmingly” to approve the inclusion of an internal code of conduct and that it was “both timely and necessary, reflecting the increasingly diverse profile of the membership and the current positive period of change for MCC”.

The MCC Chief Executive Guy Lavender added: “MCC is not immune from occasional incidents of poor behaviour and we will always address these matters swiftly and appropriately in conjunction with the individuals concerned.

“Two members spoke in support of the new code of conduct, each delivering testimony of a negative experience they had at the club last summer. The club was aware of both instances at the time they were reported; each was dealt with in a proactive manner and the club’s response was praised by the individuals concerned.”

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It was also announced at the same meeting that Kumar Sangakkara would take over as MCC President in October, becoming the first non-British member to hold the role.