Tories accused of ‘extraordinary arrogance’ in clash over free port claims

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Labor has slammed the government and demanded the National Audit Office (NAO) investigate allegations of wrongdoing at the Teesworks site – but the government says there is ‘no evidence’ of corruption

Labor’s Lisa Nandy called on the National Audit Office to investigate. (Daily Mirror)

The Tories have been accused of “extraordinary arrogance” for pushing back on efforts to establish the facts around the UK’s biggest free port.

Labor has called on the National Audit Office (NAO) to investigate allegations of wrongdoing at the Teesworks site.

But the government instead announced a panel to investigate claims after Labor MP for Middlesborough Andy McDonald in the Commons, who alleged “truly shocking industry-wide corruption” linked to funding.

Labor has called for documents ‘explaining why NAO was left out of the inquiry’ into the issues surrounding the redevelopment project to be released.

Shadow Leveling Up secretary Lisa Nandy told the Commons: ‘It speaks volumes about the extraordinary arrogance of this government that they think this is an unacceptable request.’

Earlier, it was announced that a government-appointed panel will look into allegations regarding the change in ownership structure of Teesworks in August 2021.

Labour’s Andy McDonald has previously raised allegations of wrongdoing (Evening Gazette)

This saw it go from 50% public to 90% private.

It will review the sale of land on the site and claims of potential conflicts of interest.

Labor MP Julie Elliott said there ‘can be no confidence in the pretense of an independent inquiry’.

The MP for Sunderland Central told the Commons: ‘Tory ministers and the Mayor’s cavalier approach to transparency and accountability are now hurting Teesside’s investment prospects.’

She added: ‘There can be no confidence in the claim of an independent inquiry touted by a Secretary of State (Michael Gove) who (has) in his own words already declared fellow Tories innocent of all charges .”

She fumed that she only received the names and contact details of the Teesworks inquiry committee seven minutes before the start of the debate in the House of Commons.

She said: ‘Incredibly, even by the standards of this chaotic government, the terms of reference and the names of the panel members for this inquiry were sent to me seven minutes before the start of this debate.’

She added: “Obviously I didn’t have much time to read them. But at first glance, what he sent me looks like a system-focused review, rather than a survey. about what happened.

“And ministers have still not explained to us why the National Audit Office (NAO) cannot carry out its own investigation: a body which has the capacity, the resources, the expertise and which is widely respected across the spectrum. policy.

“Instead, we are having a bizarre discussion about the remit of a respected organization which is demonstrably capable of carrying out the required investigation. Doesn’t the Minister see why the public would rightly raise an eyebrow?

“It is totally unacceptable for the government to hide from scrutiny. I remember a time when the Secretary of State (Michael Gove) was eager to get his place in this House. Nowadays we barely see him, and where is he today?”

Communities Minister Lee Rowley hit back: “The cold hard facts are this: The Tees Valley major has been very successful in delivering jobs, growth and economic development over the last half- decade in a booming region.

“Tees Valley is thriving again thanks to the Conservative leadership there and the presence of committed and constructive Conservative MPs in this place and on this specific issue the government has accepted a request for review from the Mayor.

“A review that is set up in the same way as others, where those who will be involved have been named as others have been named before, where the terms of reference have been published using a similar process before and where if there is a problem we will deal with it in a normal way in the future and now where the experts who are going to give their time and expertise should have that time and expertise to get to work in a normal manner and present findings when ready.”

A government spokesperson said: “We have seen no evidence of corruption, wrongdoing or illegality in relation to Teesworks, but these allegations risk creating much needed jobs and economic growth on Teesside. .

“The government is appointing an independent commission to establish the facts, in line with normal local government review practice.

“It is not the role of the NAO to audit or review individual local government bodies and it is not appropriate to so significantly expand the role of the NAO by asking them to lead a review.”

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