Olympic Stadium:

West Ham cleared by inquiry as Tottenham suffer another blow

West Ham United have won another battle in their fight to gain control of the Olympic Stadium in Stratford after an independent investigation concluded that neither they or the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) had broken any rules during the bidding process.

West Ham’s own independent inquiry has reached the same conclusion three weeks ago, but this latest investigation, carried out by accountants Moore Stephens on behalf of the OPLC, further exonerates both parties.

The Sunday Times claimed in July that Dionne Knight, the OPLC’s director of corporate services, had received over £20,000 from the joint West Ham and Newham Council procurement company for consultancy work.

They also revealed that Ms Knight was in a relationship with West Ham’s Olympic Stadium director Ian Tompkins. Both were suspended from their jobs while inquiries took place.

But now, following the six-week investigation, Moore Stephens have concluded there is no evidence to suggest Ms Knight had any influence over the decision or that she had access to any sensitive material or papers relating to the process.

The inquiry concluded that there is no need to re-open the bidding process, which is another blow to Tottenham Hotspur who are seeking a judicial review into February’s decision to give the stadium to West Ham after next year’s Olympics.

Spurs are due to present evidence again at an oral hearing at the High Court on Wednesday, while Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn is looking to take their case to the European courts, claiming that West Ham moving into Stratford could mean the death knell for the O’s.

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