Thread by @Andrewwood17

Robert Jenrick questioned in Parliament today about Westferry Printworks by Labour, SNP, Lib Dems, what did we learn?
- He entirely stands behind his decision, made with open mind
- Confident that all the rules were followed
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Parliamentlive.tv parliamentlive.tv/event/index/38…

- Said it was highly contentious - not sure that is true, his decision because TH Council failed to make a decision, everybody else wanted it rejected
- Has shared information with Cabinet Secretary
- Will work with his Permanent Secretary to publish further information
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- But as planning application still live maybe excuse not to release all of it? my thought
- Another MHCLG Minister will make the final decision
- Wants to see more new homes built including affordable homes but accepted fall in affordable homes from 35% down to 21%, why?
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- Department knew about attendance at dinner but he did not know who he would sit next to
- Told Desmond he could not discuss
- He discussed and took advice from officials at all times (did they not tell him to recuse himself?)
- But Guardian
4/

theguardian.com/politics/2020/…

& Ruth Cadbury MP suggest that dinner not recorded in official documents according to whistleblower
- Jenrick not answering key questions about dinner, bias.
- Labour questions better then last week but not picking up on affordable % issue, as big as £40 million CIL issue
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- Sarah Jones MP asks a Q we know answer to already from court document, not sure if for effect or not been briefed by Labour locally
- Again no local MP's involved
- SNP MP question also wrong, again for effect or in error?
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Parliamentlive.tv parliamentlive.tv/event/index/38…

Mystery still remains about decision, timing of it, what happened in December, why did not defend judicial review?
Why Jenrick nor his officials thought it would be a good idea to recuse himself after Carlton Club dinner sat next to Richard Desmond & others for several hours
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