WELSH hurdler Rhys Williams is out of the Commonwealth Games on a doping charge.

The current European champion and son of 1970s rugby legend JJ has withdrawn after being charged with committing an anti-doping rule violation.

Williams, the co-captain of the Welsh athletics team at Glasgow 2014, becomes the second Welsh athlete to fail a drugs test after the withdrawal of 800m runner Gareth Warburton nine days ago.

A Welsh Athletics statement: "Welsh Athletics can confirm the provisional suspension of Rhys Williams after being charged with committing an anti-doping rule violation under the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules.

Rhys has the opportunity to respond to the charges against him and to have those charges determined at a full hearing before the National Anti-Doping Panel.

Welsh Athletics strongly supports clean sport and has established a comprehensive education programme for its athletes.

Welsh Athletics is obviously concerned that this is the second ant-doping violation by a senior Welsh international athlete and will be conducting its own internal review.

Welsh Athletics will not be making any further comment."

Williams, who deleted his Twitter account earlier this week, released the following statement: "Following the press release from Welsh Athletics. I would like to make the following statement.

"I am utterly devastated about the news of this anti-doping rule violation, which has come as a great shock to me.

"From the outset, I would strongly like to state that I have not knowingly taken any banned substance.

"As a professional athlete, I have always supported and have been an advocate of clean sport.

"However, I recognise that the responsibility for this situation lies with me and I’m committed to working with UK Anti-Doping and will fully cooperate in the legal process. I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all the best to my teammates at the Commonwealth Games.

"To be named Co-Team Captain for the Welsh Athletics Team was a great honour and I am distraught that I won't be able to fulfil this role and join them as part of Team Wales.

"I wish them all well. Finally, in line with this process and until the hearing of the National Anti-Doping Panel, I will not be making any further comment."

UKAD Chief Executive Andy Parkinson said: “UK Anti-Doping can confirm the provisional suspension of athlete Rhys Williams after being charged with committing an anti-doping rule violation under the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules. “The athlete has the opportunity o respond to the charges against him, and to have those charges determined at a full hearing before the National Anti-Doping Panel.

"UK Anti-Doping will not be making any further comment.”