Robert Jenrick: The important thing questions going through housing secretary

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick is underneath hearth from the opposition events over his choice to grant planning permission for a £1bn property scheme two weeks earlier than the developer donated £12,000 to the Conservative Social gathering.

He denies any hyperlink between the occasions, however his critics say he nonetheless has inquiries to reply – he’ll face MPs on Monday at his common departmental query time.

Did he disclose his contacts with the developer?

Robert Jenrick shared a desk with property developer Richard Desmond at a fundraising dinner for the Conservative Social gathering final November, a few months earlier than he gave the inexperienced gentle for Mr Desmond’s £1bn Westferry Printworks scheme to construct 1,500 properties in Docklands, east London.

A spokesperson for the housing secretary advised the Day by day Mail: “The builders did elevate their utility, however Mr Jenrick knowledgeable them that it might not be acceptable for them to debate the matter with him, or for him to cross touch upon it.”

Housing Minister Christopher Pincher stated within the Home of Commons on Thursday that “always he (Mr Jenrick) has disclosed any conversations that he has had with candidates”.

However did Mr Jenrick supply or was he suggested to withdraw from the decision-making course of due to this contact with Mr Desmond?

Why did he approve planning permission?

On 14 January, Mr Jenrick overruled a planning inspector and gave permission to construct.

This was the day earlier than a brand new Neighborhood Infrastructure Levy (CIL) got here into drive that might have meant the developer paying an additional £40m to assist tasks in Tower Hamlets, London’s poorest borough.

Tower Hamlets Council stated this gave the looks of bias in favour of the developer and so it appealed, arguing that the secretary of state should not be influenced by “a need to help the developer to keep away from a monetary legal responsibility”.

Authorized papers seen by the BBC state that Mr Jenrick was suggested by his civil servants that “a call must be issued earlier than the council adopted its new Native Plan and CIL charging schedule.”

There have been considerations {that a} delay “may influence on the viability of the proposed improvement”.

Why did he then quash his personal choice?

In Could, Mr Jenrick accepted the timing of this choice “would lead the fair-minded and knowledgeable observer to conclude that there was an actual chance” of bias – and that the choice must be quashed and a distinct minister ought to determine.

Tower Hamlets Council and others consider he did this to keep away from having to launch paperwork referring to the choice.

Labour Mayor John Biggs stated: “We might by no means know what emails and memos the secretary of state obtained earlier than making his choice and what affect that they had, however his reluctance to reveal them speaks volumes.”

Did he breach the ministerial code?

The ministerial code – a algorithm and ideas issued by the prime minister which outlines requirements of conduct – states that “if a minister meets an exterior organisation or particular person and finds themselves discussing official enterprise with out an official current – for instance at a social event – any important content material must be handed again to the division as quickly as doable after the occasion”.

Ministers should additionally “declare and resolve any pursuits and relationships” and “take choices impartially, pretty and on advantage, utilizing the perfect proof and with out discrimination or bias”.

The Liberal Democrats have written to Cupboard Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill to ask whether or not Mr Jenrick breached the code.

Sir Ed Davey, the occasion’s interim chief, wrote of “an more and more increasing internet of hyperlinks between Mr Jenrick and Mr Desmond”.

The Electoral Fee revealed figures this week exhibiting Mr Desmond donated £12,000 to the Conservatives a fortnight after Mr Jenrick gave planning permission. Labour says this raised “cash-for-favours considerations”.

However a Conservative Social gathering spokesperson stated: “Authorities coverage is on no account influenced by occasion donations – they’re solely separate.” And No 10 stated the PM had “full confidence” in Mr Jenrick.