WHUFC.com
An independent barrister's investigation has revealed its findings regarding
preferred bidder status
03.08.2011
An independent barrister's investigation has found nothing that compromises
the integrity of the decision to make West Ham United the preferred bidder
for the Olympic Stadium. The club tasked external counsel from the highly
prestigious Blackstone Chambers to conduct the in-depth process. The inquiry
was launched last month and considered the work undertaken by Dionne Knight
on behalf of the club in relation to the procurement of a construction
partner after the 2012 Olympic Games. It concluded firmly that Ms Knight's
work had in no way affected the integrity of the joint West Ham
United-London Borough of Newham bid which was approved by the Olympic Park
Legacy Company. The findings - which completely exonerate the club over the
matter and showed it acted lawfully at all times - came after the
consideration of all relevant correspondence and documentation, along with
statements from all relevant officials. The barrister had total and
unfettered access to all emails and other documents sent and received, along
with any information required. The report found no confidential information
was passed by the OPLC to West Ham United through Ms Knight. Similarly, it
found that no person at the club has at any point considered themselves to
have an improper source of information or influence within the OPLC. With
regard to Ms Knight, by far the bulk of the invoiced work took place after
the decision of the OPLC to confer preferred bidder status and consisted of
the transparent preparation of extensive procurement-related documentation.
West Ham United have handed over the contents of the entire independent
investigation to the OPLC as they are conducting their own separate inquiry
into the matter.
Separately, West Ham remain in contact with Police with regard to the
serious matter of a private investigator acting unlawfully, reportedly under
instruction by Tottenham Hotspur.
This matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness by the club,
especially given the methods claimed to have been used to obtain this
personal information in relation to reported breaches of the Data Protection
Act as a result of the unlawful acquisition of bank and telephone records
belonging to senior executives at the club and the OPLC.
This activity, if proven, constitutes serious criminal conduct and can
attract custodial sentences for perpetrators of the crime. In addition to
the Police, the matter is also now in the hands of the Information
Commissioner's Office, which investigates allegations of data protection
offences.
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