Assembly blows the full-time whistle on West Ham deal secrecy

The London Assembly today called for the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) to publish its rental agreement for the Olympic Stadium in full.

Assembly Members agreed a unanimous motion noting the considerable public interest in the details of the agreement between the LLDC and West Ham United FC.

Jenny Jones AM, who proposed the motion said:

"Londoners want the whole truth about the stadium deal and an end to the secrecy.

It’s time the London Legacy Development Corporation let the public see the full details of this multimillion pound deal."

Caroline Pidgeon AM, who seconded the motion said:

"It beggars belief that both West Ham and the London Legacy Development Corporation are seeking to wriggle out of upholding a clear decision made by the Information Commissioner.

"West Ham United Football Club knew full well that it would be subject to the Freedom of Information Act when it entered into an agreement with LLDC. And no Mayoral body should be hiding a deal over the use of a largely taxpayer-funded stadium."

"The full publication of this information will allow the public to find out if value for money has been reached for taxpayers."

The full text of the Motion is:

"This Assembly notes the considerable public interest in the Concession Agreement between the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) and West Ham United FC for their rental of the Olympic Stadium.

This Assembly believes the LLDC was wrong to redact the released document, and was wrong to appeal the Information Commissioner’s ruling that the document should be published in full.

This Assembly therefore calls on the LLDC to drop its appeal against the Information Commissioner’s ruling and to publish the Concession Agreement in full."

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only