Robert Jenrick, Newark MP and Housing Secretary, defends 1,500-home scheme decision in Tower Hamlets by Conservative donor Richard Desmond as questioned in the House of Commons
Newark MP Robert Jenrick has defended his decision as Housing Secretary to pass a controversial planning application by Conservative donor Richard Desmond.
Questioned by MPs in the House of Commons on Monday, Mr Jenrick said he had acted in good faith and within the rules when he gave the green light to the 1,500-home scheme in Tower Hamlets, east London.
Despite claiming he handed over all relevant information regarding the decision to Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill — the UK's most senior civil servant — Labour have called for an inquiry into the matter.
Mr Jenrick overruled his planning inspectorate on the scheme — one day before new rules would have meant the developer had to pay an extra £30m to £50m for local infrastructure.
When the case was taken to court by Tower Hamlets council, the government admitted the timing of the decision “would lead the fair-minded and informed observer to conclude there was a real possibility (Robert Jenrick) was biased.”
Mr Jenrick was questioned in Parliament about a party fundraising dinner in November at which he sat next to Mr Desmond and, according to reports, the developer raised the issue of the application with him.
Two weeks after it was passed, Mr Desmond donated £12,000 to the Conservative Party.
Mr Jenrick said officials were aware he had "inadvertently" found himself sitting next to the businessman at the dinner and he had made it clear he could not discuss it.
"I discussed and took advice from my officials in the department at all times," he said.
The government rejected there was any actual bias in the decision.
Mr Jenrick told MPs: "It is not unusual for a Secretary of State to come to a different conclusion from a planning inspector — no disrespect to the great people who work there — and my predecessors did so on a number of occasions.
"I took that decision in good faith, with an open mind, and I am confident all the rules were followed in doing so."
Shadow Housing Secretary Steve Reed told Parliament: "The only disinfectant that can clear the bad smell hanging around this decision is honesty.
"Mr Jenrick must immediately publish all correspondence about this case to allow full public scrutiny of what he's been up to."
The Met Police has confirmed it would not be taking any action after assessing an allegation made to them over the issue.
A police spokesman said: "(We) can confirm that the Metropolitan Police received an allegation on Wednesday, 27 May relating to a property development in east London.
"The details were assessed by officers from the Special Enquiry Team who concluded the information provided did not meet the threshold for a criminal investigation.
"There will be no further police action at this time. All parties involved have been informed of this decision."