The decision was announced on Thursday evening.

Diageo, owner of Guinness, Smirnoff, Johnny Walker, and Captain Morgans among other brands, has announced that it will be cancelling its sponsorship of the London Irish rugby club. This is due to the team's signing of former Ulster and Ireland player Paddy Jackson, who was acquitted of rape by a Belfast court in March 2018. Speaking to JOE, a spokesperson for Diageo stated: "We have met with the club to express our concerns. Their recent decision is not consistent with our values and so we have ended our sponsorship." Earlier this week, another previous sponsor of the club, Cash Converters, confirmed that they would be discontinuing their affiliation with the club. In April last year, Jackson's contract was revoked by Ulster and the IRFU. At the time, Jackson said: "I am deeply disappointed about the outcome of the IRFU and Ulster Rugby's internal review. "However, I recognise that my behaviour has fallen far short of the values expected of me as an international player, a role model for the game of rugby and as a son and a brother. "I am truly sorry."