07 June 2023 , 17:35
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Tories were accused of "extraordinary arrogance" for pushing back on efforts to establish the facts around the UK's largest freeport.
Labour has called for the National Audit Office (NAO) to investigate claims of wrongdoing at the Teesworks site.
But the Government has instead announced a panel to probe claims after Labour's Middlesborough MP Andy McDonald in the Commons, who alleged "truly shocking, industrial-scale corruption" related to funding.
Labour has called for documents "explaining why NAO was excluded from investigating" the issues surrounding the redevelopment project to be released.
Shadow Levelling Up Secretary Lisa Nandy told the Commons: "It says something about the extraordinary arrogance of this Government that they think that that is an unacceptable request."
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Earlier it was announced that a Government-appointed panel will look at allegations surrounding the change in the Teesworks ownership structure in August 2021.
Labour’s Andy McDonald has previouisly raised allegations of wrongdoing (Evening Gazette)This saw it go from 50% public to 90% private.
It will look at the sale of land at the site and claims of poitential conflicts of interests.
Labour MP Julie Elliott said there "can be no confidence in the pretence of an independent inquiry".
The MP for Sunderland Central told the Commons: "Conservative ministers and the mayor's cavalier approach to transparency and accountability is now harming the investment prospects for Teesside."
She added: "There can be no confidence in the pretence of an independent inquiry touted by a Secretary of State (Michael Gove) who (has) in his own words already found his Conservative colleagues innocent of all charges."
She fumed that she was only given the names and details of the Teesworks investigation panel seven minutes before the debate started in the Commons.
She said: "Incredibly, even by the standards of this shambolic Government, the terms of reference, and the names of the panel members for this inquiry, were sent to me seven minutes before this debate began."
She added: "Clearly, I haven't had much time to read them. But on first sight, what he has sent me looks like a system-focused review, rather than an investigation into what has happened.
"And ministers have still failed to give us an explanation as to why the National Audit Office (NAO) can't conduct their own investigation: a body which has capacity, resources, expertise, and is widely respected across the political spectrum.
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"Instead, we're having a bizarre argument about the remit of a respected organisation that is patently able to conduct the investigation required. Can the minister not see why the public would rightly raise an eyebrow?
"It is completely unacceptable for the Government to hide from proper scrutiny. I remember a time when the Secretary of State ( Michael Gove ) couldn't wait to get to his place in this House. Nowadays, we barely see him, and where is he today?"
Communities minister Lee Rowley shot back: "The cold hard facts are this: the major of Tees Valley has had much success in bringing jobs, growth and economic development over the last half decade to an area now on the up.
"Tees Valley is thriving again thanks to Conservative leadership there and from having engaged and constructive Conservative MPs in this place and on this specific issue the Government has agreed to a request from the mayor for a review.
"A review which is being set up similarly to others, where those to be involved have been appointed as others have been appointed before, where the terms of reference have been published using a similar process before and where if there is an issue, we will deal with it in the normal way in the future and now where the experts who are going to give their time and expertise, should be given that time and that expertise to get on with the job in the normal way and present conclusions when they're ready."
A Government spokesperson said: "We have no seen evidence of corruption, wrongdoing or illegality in relation to Teesworks, but these allegations are risking delivery of much-needed jobs and economic growth in Teesside.
"The Government is appointing an independent panel to establish the facts, in line with usual practice for reviewing local government.
"It is not the NAO's role to audit or examine individual local government bodies and it is not appropriate to so significantly expand the role of the NAO by asking them to lead any review."