The department's multi-discipline team "had neither the appropriate ethos nor processes in place to allow it to function effectively", the report said.
News of Sotherton's reluctant decision to bow out of the gruelling multi-discipline challenge emerged on Monday when UK Athletics announced its list of National Lottery-funded athletes for next season.
This really is a crisis situation, likely of extended duration, that will require exceptional leadership and broad, multi-discipline technical competence to manage in the near term, and to overcome in the longer term.
The Commonwealth Games offer Hunt a rare opportunity to perform in a multi-sport event, as the compound discipline is not used in the Olympics, and she is keen to make the most of being on the big stage.