Tories inform Labour MP to ‘put up or shut up’ over Teesworks ‘corruption declare’

Conservative politicians have known as for a Labour politician to “put up or shut up” after he made claims of “truly shocking, industrial-scale corruption” in Teesside.

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald, a former shadow cupboard member underneath each Sir Keir Starmer and Jeremy Corbyn, made the feedback final month within the House of Commons concerning the redevelopment of the Teesworks web site.

There have been calls from Labour for an investigation into the venture – which Conservative mayor Ben Houchen has welcomed, saying there’s nothing to cover.

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But Mr Houchen and native MPs Simon Clarke and Jacob Young have known as for Mr McDonald to repeat his feedback outdoors the House of Commons – the place he isn’t protected by parliamentary privilege.

Parliamentary privilege can be utilized to break injunctions, and likewise means something mentioned can’t be subjected to claims of defamation.

The allegations centre on the Teesworks web site, which was beforehand house to the Redcar metal facility.

It is presently being developed by the South Tees Development Company [STDC] – chaired by Mr Houchen – alongside personal funding.

Mr McDonald claimed the “only growth being delivered” by the location was to “Ben Houchen’s pals Messers Musgrave and Corney” – two people who find themselves engaged on the venture.

According to reviews within the FT, Chris Musgrave and Martin Corney and their corporations have management of 90% of the STDC.

Simon Clarke, the MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, tweeted: “Andy McDonald needs to put up or shut up – either repeat his corruption allegation outside Parliamentary privilege, or apologise for it and withdraw it.”

Jacob Young, the Tory MP for Redcar and Cleveland, mentioned: “Andy McDonald keeps hiding behind parliamentary privilege to smear our progress, and even slippery Starmer won’t back him.

“We will maintain specializing in creating long-term sustainable jobs on the previous Steelworks.

“We won’t let the wreckers win.”

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Mr Houchen informed the BBC that Mr McDonald was a “coward”.

The authorities is presently contemplating whether or not or to not order a full National Audit Office (NAO) inquiry into the Teesworks venture.

Shadow levelling up secretary Lisa Nandy desires an investigation to happen, and Mr Houchen has mentioned he would welcome the probe as nicely.