An independent report into claims of corruption at the Teesside steelworks redevelopment is set to exonerate those involved in the project, including Tory mayor Ben Houchen, the Express understands.
An independent investigation was launched in June after hard-left Labour MP Andy McDonald used parliamentary privilege to make allegations of “industrial-scale corruption” around the major economic redevelopment.
Despite Mr McDonald refusing to repeat the allegations in public, where he could have faced being sued, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove ordered a review into financial dealings and governance at the project being run by Mr Houchen and two local developers.
An independent panel, selected by Mr Gove, is now set to report back this afternoon and clear both the project, and Mr Houchen, of impropriety.
The Express understands the investigation has uncovered no evidence of any corruption or illegality.
It also argues the private partners were “crucial” to resolving an issue with the Thai banks that held a charge over the former steelworks’ UK assets.
The findings will allow the Tories a rare sigh of relief, given the high-profile nature of the project, and Mr Houchen’s symbol as a legacy of Boris Johnson’s levelling up agenda.
Pressure will now turn to ex-Labour MP Andy McDonald – who lost the Labour whip in October last year over his “deeply offensive” comments at a pro-Palestine rally.
Mr McDonald is yet to back down from, or apologise for, his allegation of “truly shocking, industrial-scale corruption” at the brownfield renovation site.
Last May, Mr Houchen called Mr McDonald a coward for refusing to repeat the claims in public, accusing him of abusing parliamentary privilege and causing undue concern among vital investors in his own local economy.
He told Newsnight: “The reason for all of this is ultimately Labour did nothing for this region for over half a century, we’ve rocked up in the last three years and we’ve done more than they did in 50 years and they’re embarrassed about it. That’s fundamentally what this comes down to.”
This afternoon Teesside Tory MP Sir Simon Clarke told the Express he will be demanding Mr McDonald return to the Commons and withdraw his allegations.
Sir Simon said: “Teesworks is the most important project for Teesside in at least fifty years.
“It’s impossible to overstate what these new jobs mean for my constituents – it’s not just employment, it’s about people’s dignity and community too.
“Andy McDonald has put politics before people by waging a wrecking campaign against it, aided and abetted by the wider Labour Party.
“If today’s report confirms Ben Houchen has been completely exonerated, I will be demanding Mr McDonald returns to the Commons to withdraw the damaging allegations he has made under the protection of Parliamentary privilege.”
Labour MP Ian Lavery previously accused the Government of attempting to kick the investigation “into the long grass because of the mayoral elections in Teesside”.
Michael Gove defended Mr Houchen, saying he is a “first-rate public servant who has been responsible for the economic transformation of the Tees valley, and he is a great and visionary leader in local government”.
Andy McDonald was approached for comment.
