London Mayor to blame for Olympic Stadium controversy claims Tottenham MP

By Duncan Mackay

April 14 – London Mayor Boris Johnson (pictured) has been urged to get involved to end the row over the future of the Olympic Stadium which is facing the prospect of being at the centre of a lengthy legal battle after Tottenham Hotspur launched the first steps in demanding a judicial review.

Tottentham MP David Lammy claimed that if Johnson had offered more support in helping Spurs redevelop their current stadium at White Hart Lane then the controversy would have been avoided.

“Had the Mayor been more forthcoming in providing assistance to Spurs to build a stadium in Tottenham, I doubt we would be in a position where we are discussing the prospect of a judicial review,” he said.

“The review will only line the pockets of city lawyers whilst the club, the fans and the Tottenham community are left in limbo.”

Tottenham yesterday revealed that they had sought permission rom the High Court to bring a claim against Newham Council for a judicial review of their process in providing a £40 million ($65 million) loan for the conversion of the Stadium after the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

Spurs already has planning permission for a brand new stadium close to its existing White Hart Loane ground, dubbed the Northumberland Park project.

But the project has stalled over spiralling costs for the club, which then began looking at alternatives, including the Olympic Stadium.

“I call on the Mayor and the club to get back around the table to discuss how the club can stay in its Tottenham home and deliver the most important regeneration project in North London for a generation,” said Lammy.

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