Page last updated at 07:49 GMT, Monday, 22 August 2011 08:49 UK
BBC.co.uk
By David Bond
BBC sports editor
An independent investigation has upheld the decision to award West Ham the
Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games, BBC Sport has learned. The review
concluded there is no reason to re-open the bidding process. The inquiry
came after allegations that a director of the Olympic Park Legacy Company
(OPLC) was paid by West Ham during the contest with Tottenham. But forensic
accountants from Moore Stephens decided that was not relevant to West Ham
being named tenants. A Sunday newspaper claimed in July that Dionne Knight,
OPLC's director of corporate services, was on the West Ham payroll. Despite
declaring she was in a relationship with Ian Tompkins, a West Ham director,
she was accused of failing to tell her employers that she also received
around £20,000 from the club for consultancy work.
Now, following a six-week inquiry, Moore Stephens have concluded that there
is no evidence to suggest Ms Knight had any influence over the decision or
that she had access to any sensitive material or papers relating to the
process. The outcome of the inquiry will be a huge relief to West Ham, who
were awarded preferred bidder status back in February. They conducted their
own independent inquiry into the allegations involving Ms Knight and reached
the same conclusion as the OPLC investigation. But the result will be
another setback for Tottenham, who are still challenging the decision. They
want a judicial review and, despite having their first request rejected, are
due to present evidence again at an oral hearing at the High Court on
Wednesday. If the court rules in Tottenham's favour then that could cause
serious delays for the OPLC who are trying to negotiate a final agreement
with West Ham and their partners Newham Council.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment