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By Tom Degun in London
February 12 – West Ham and Newham Council have claimed they are unconcerned by a potential legal challenge after they were awarded the Olympic Stadium ahead of Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham are threatening to launch a legal battle after their bid was comprehensively overlooked by the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) and are said to be considering “a judicial review of the selection process.”
But Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales and West Ham chairman David Sullivan said that they are not at all worried by any legal action from the North London club.
“Whatever legal action is taken, that is nothing to do with us,” Sir Robin told insidethegames.
“That is up to Tottenham.”
Sullivan added: “We are not concerned by any legal action against the decision because that is outside our control.
“The only thing that matters to us is that the OPLC chose us as the preferred tenant for the Olympic Stadium so we are delighted.”
Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson added that he believes Tottenham have no case to take the decision to award West Ham the London 2012 Olympic Stadium to court.
“I sincerely hope there is no legal challenge,” said Robertson.
“When you have a competition like this, things get said in the heat of battle that, in the cold reflection of morning, you may want to think about.
“I can understand Tottenham’s disappointment.
“If they want to take it the courts they’ve got to prove their case.
“I don’t think there are any grounds for judicial review but it’s an issue for Tottenham Hotspur and their lawyers.
“This is good news for both London 2012 and the legacy of the project.
“The decision must still be formally confirmed and then there is due diligence but it’s an important step forward.
“As a Government we’ve not taken a decision yet but we will do shortly.
“We have always supported the OPLC processes and criteria and these bids have been scored off against them.
“I’m confident that their processes are robust and correct.
“We had two good but differing bids and there has been a fair amount of noise and competition.
“I understand frustrations but this is an incredibly valuable public asset that has cost £500 million of public money to build.”
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