Teesworks: Accountability and Scrutiny

Debate between Ian Lavery and Simon Clarke

Wednesday 7th June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab)]

I start my brief contribution by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald) on his forensic representation of this murky saga at Teesworks. The abuse and attacks will not deter him from unearthing the answers, as we can see from his fantastic speech. People need to back off and treat this issue extremely seriously. I give thanks and credit to Private Eye and the Financial Times for their fantastic journalism.

[Mr Simon Clarke]

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

[Ian Lavery]

I will give way if the right hon. Gentleman says whether he or his party will seek recompense from Private Eye, the Financial Times and, perhaps, The Northern Echo for libel.

[Mr Clarke]

It would be helpful if the hon. Gentleman clarified that every single person cited in that Financial Times report, on which so much credence is being placed, is a Labour politician.