Rather than order a National Audit Office review into Teesworks, Michael Gove has commissioned what Labor describes as a “hand-picked” panel to investigate a scheme that has led to allegations of “industrial-scale corruption”.
The government has blocked the release of documents that would show the decision-making behind a controversial investigation into the Teesside redevelopment.
Conservative MPs voted against a measure tabled by Labor in the House of Commons, 272 to 166.
Came after leveling up to secretary miguel gove announced the composition of a three-person panel that will inspect the Teesworks site.
The dispute comes after Labor MPs called for a legal inquiry into the project in the north-east, which the government refused to authorise.
Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald previously raised concerns about the Teesworks scheme, claiming “truly shocking industrial scale corruption”.
But rather than commission the National Audit Office to look into Teesworks, Gove assembled “an independent assurance review” in an unusual move.
Teesworks is the project which is redeveloping the Teesside industrial site, including the former Redcar steelworks.
There has been controversy over the way the project was executed, including how substantial ownership of a company developing the site was transferred from the publicly run Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) to private hands. .
Ben Houchen, the Conservative mayor of Tees Valley, has come under scrutiny as the leader of TVCA and also chairman of the company developing the site, South Tees Development Company, which is now 90% privately owned, rather than 50-50. distributed to the public.
He has been among those calling for a full investigation and says he has nothing to hide.
The panel that will now handle the investigation is made up of Angie Ridgwell, chief executive of Lancashire County Council; Quentin Baker, director of law and government for Hertfordshire County Council; and Richard Paver, who was the first treasurer of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Speaking after the vote in parliament, the shadow of the Labor Party leveling up the secretary Lisa Nandy He said: “Having rejected calls from all parties, including the Conservative mayor, for a National Audit Office investigation, ministers must clarify that the review they have set up will have the same powers as the NAO would have had to review the accounts and evaluate the decisions that have been made in relation to Teesworks”.
She accused him of launching “an investigation on its own terms, handpicking a panel to investigate an issue where accountability has broken down completely.”
Mr Houchen said: “I look forward to the outcome, in due course, and will not comment further until the independent review is complete, to allow the independent body to carry out its work without influence or favour. My officers remain ready to provide all information requested by the independent review.”
Equalization Minister Lee Rowley called on MPs across the House to respect the government’s course of action.