Yet More Olympic Stadium

Spurs have launched a judicial reveiw and even Orient are having a go. Even if Spurs win the review surely Orient will contest again ? Isn't time everyone involved said OK and ot on with it ? This story is going to run & run, unfortunately . . . . . . .


Leyton Orient Football Club has launched a legal bid over West Ham's move to the 2012 Olympic Stadium.

Bosses have applied for a judicial review, saying the Hammers' move to the nearby stadium would have a "devastating" effect on their fan-base.

It comes a day after Tottenham Hotspur launched a judicial review, claiming a £40m loan to West Ham was improper.

In March, the Hammers defeated Spurs in the bid for the stadium after the Games.

Newham Council, which has declined to comment on Orient's move, arranged the loan to finance West Ham's bid.

Leyton Orient's application for a judicial review is also calling into question the legality of the loan.

But the club is also asking the High Court to examine the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) decision to award the stadium to West Ham, Leyton Orient said.

Matt Porter, Leyton Orient's chief executive, said: "I can confirm we are applying for a judicial review. Our application has been given in.

"We will be arguing the move would have a detrimental and devastating effect on Leyton Orient Football Club."

The OPLC has also declined to comment on the legal bid by Orient.

West Ham United could not be immediately contacted.

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club has launched legal action at London's High Court over West Ham United's successful bid for the 2012 Olympic Stadium.

Spurs said it had sought permission from the court to bring a claim against the east London Borough of Newham.

Newham Council arranged a £40m loan to finance West Ham's move to the stadium after the 2012 Games.

In March, Tottenham lost out to West Ham to become the tenant of the stadium following the Games.

West Ham intends to convert the 80,000-seater stadium into a 60,000-capacity facility which retains an athletics track.

It is believed Tottenham will ask the judicial review to consider whether Newham Council was right to use public money for the loan, and whether it went through proper processes before doing so.

In January BBC London revealed a series of potential "abuses" of the process leading up to the loan, including:

Crucial documents explaining the bid in detail being withheld from councillors until shortly before the vote
No explanation as to whether the council would be liable for the debt if relegation-threatened West Ham defaulted
A "significant number" of councillors holding reservations - but refusing to speak openly because they are allegedly "afraid" of missing out on lucrative positions
Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales declaring dozens of gifts from West Ham, with critics saying his impartiality has been compromised
At the time the council denied all wrongdoing.

In a statement, Tottenham said: "The club has today sought permission from the High Court to bring a claim against the London Borough of Newham ("Newham") for judicial review of Newham's process in providing a loan for the conversion of the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games.

"The club wrote to Newham asking it to explain its reasons and justification for its decision, but Newham has declined to respond to this request for information.

"Due to the time limits which apply to claims for judicial review, the club has had no alternative but to issue these proceedings in order to protect its position.

"The club continues to hold discussions with both local and national government bodies in order to seek to agree a feasible stadium solution."

The BBC revealed in March that Spurs had sent letters warning of court action to Newham Council and the Olympic Park Legacy Company.

West Ham plans to move from Upton Park in 2014-15.

Tottenham's joint bid with AEG sport and entertainment group had set out to create a football-only stadium without the track and to redevelop Crystal Palace for athletics.

West Ham, Newham Council and the OPLC, which is in charge of securing the future of the Olympic Park after the Games, all said they would not comment about the new development.

The OPLC's choice of West Ham as preferred bidder was rubber-stamped by London mayor Boris Johnson and the UK government.

levy should just let it go. its not good on our club. this guy should of been out last jan sortin out a striker not tryin get the olympic stadium and signin beckham

levy is starting to P*ss me off now, ffs take it on the chin and stop acting like a bad loser , either develop whl or find a new site , all this has gone on far to long now and its becoming a bit embarrassing for the club & fans .. k