in a tournament where the player who came second was banned for cheating months ago? Surely I should be second and another member third?

To be honest, I'm not really bothered (though I'm sure this post indicates otherwise). 2nd or 3rd is of little importantance. I'd just like to know the mechanics. Thanks.

Probably for the same reason that in tournament groups, once it has been determined who goes through to the next round, this doesn't get changed - even if some of those going forward get banned for cheating.

This is calculated once at the point when the final game in the group has been played. There is no linkage between banning a member and recalculating the effect on other areas of the site where that member was involved e.g. team matches, tournaments, other games.

Closing a member's account used to automatically cause all of that member's forums posts to disappear - but this policy has recently changed.

Ta