Robert Jenrick: MPs say minister made ‘critical errors’ in planning case

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick made “critical errors” over the controversial Westferry planning utility, MPs have mentioned.

The Commons housing committee has requested Mr Jenrick for extra particulars about his contacts with developer and Tory donor Richard Desmond.

Boris Johnson mentioned the matter was closed after correspondence, together with texts between the 2 males was launched.

However MPs mentioned they “respectfully disagreed” with the PM’s evaluation.

The committee, which is led by Labour MP Clive Betts, has requested Mr Jenrick to seem earlier than them on 13 July to reply questions on his involvement with the case and transparency within the planning course of.

Mr Jenrick over-ruled a planning inspector when he accepted the event of greater than 1,500 flats on the location of the previous Westferry print works in east London in January.

• Jenrick texted developer concerned in planning row
• Jenrick and Westferry: What’s at stake in row?

However following a problem by Tower Hamlets council, the choice was subsequently dominated illegal by the Excessive Court docket, on the grounds of “obvious bias” within the decision-making course of.

Mr Jenrick has rejected recommendations he was swayed by lobbying by Mr Desmond, together with when he sat subsequent to the businessman at a fundraising dinner and was briefly proven a video of the event.

In a letter to Mr Jenrick, Mr Betts mentioned his committee was not accusing him of “deliberate wrongdoing”.

‘Impartial arbiter’

However he mentioned the integrity of planning system and ministers’ function in making choices meant unresolved questions on “perceived conflicts of curiosity” within the case have to be addressed.

“The paperwork do clearly display that critical errors had been made in the course of the course of and that these put doubtful your potential to behave as a impartial arbiter on this case and created a powerful notion of bias,” he wrote.

He has given Mr Jenrick till Monday to reply to 26 questions.

“The committee respectfully disagrees with the prime minister’s assertion that the matter is closed and imagine that there are essential classes to be realized,” he added.

Whereas persevering with to look into the case and its wider implications, the committee just isn’t at present contemplating calling another witnesses to provide proof.

Mr Jenrick has insisted he approached the choice with an open thoughts and adopted the foundations, though he has admitted he may have accomplished sure issues higher.