'No concerns' over Abrahams' planning application
Thursday, 20 December 2007 12:00 AM
There are no "issues of concern" over the manner in which secret Labour donor David Abrahams was granted planning permission for a Durham business park, auditors decided today.
Failed Lib Dem leadership candidate Chris Huhne had raised concerns after Mr Abraham's plans for Durham Green Busines Park were approved after an initial objection by the Highways Agency was retracted.
A preliminary report, released today by the district auditor, concluded there were no issues of concern.
Mr Abrahams has demanded an apology from Mr Huhne for his "false, cruel and malicious" complaint.
The north-west property developer was granted permission to build the Durham Green Business Park in October, despite an earlier objection from the Highways Agency that the impact on the nearby A1(M) needed to be assessed.
This objection was lifted on the condition that "appropriate planning conditions" were in place.
Mr Huhne asked the Metropolitan police to investigate any potential conflict of interest - with his spokesman today stressing he had not made any direct allegations - and the case was passed to Durham police before being referred to the district auditor.
The Audit Commission today said: "The district auditor has carried out a preliminary review but has not identified any issues of concern.
"Unless new information comes to his attention he does not expect to carry out a more detailed investigation.
"He will be writing to the councils concerned to confirm this outcome."
Mr Abrahams today repeated his assertion there had been no misconduct.
The millionaire told the Guardian: "I wouldn't be party to that. The remarks by the Liberal Democrats who asked for the investigation were false, cruel and malicious.
"This has been very hurtful. there has been no foundation for them whatsoever. I demand Huhne apologises.
"I suggest he withdraws his remarks, apologises and contributes towards the cost of the investigation."
Mr Huhne was accused of jumping on the case to raise his own profile during the two-month Lib Dem leadership campaign.
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