Mayor calls MP 'liar and a coward' in Tees project row

A Conservative mayor has branded a Labour MP a "liar and a coward" in a row over a major development project.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen challenged Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald to repeat allegations of corruption without the protection of parliamentary privilege.

Mr McDonald said the Teesworks deal "doesn't pass the smell test" but stopped short of repeating the claims.

Mr McDonald, the MP for neighbouring Middlesbrough, previously made serious accusations about the Teesworks development, the UK's largest industrial zone, under the protection of parliament.

They followed multiple reports in Private Eye and the Financial Times about the site and how contracts and land agreements were issued to private developers.

Mr Houchen, who heads the South Tees Development Corporation overseeing the project, said the MP had refused to repeat the accusations outside of parliament because he could be sued for libel.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's World At One, Mr Houchen said Mr McDonald was a "liar and a coward" who had "abused" his parliamentary position.

The Conservative mayor said Mr McDonald "has no evidence" there had been any criminality or wrong-doing around the development.

Mr Houchen said engaging private firms to manage the clearance and redevelopment of the former Redcar steelworks site was "1,000%" in the public's interest, adding taxpayers were "no longer liable for a massive site that was going to be a massive drain on public resource".

He said the independent panel would clear any accusations, adding: "I'll be calling for the Labour party to reimburse the taxpayer for the waste of time this review ultimately is because its going to show there is no corruption [or] illegality."

Also appearing on World At One, Mr McDonald declined to repeat the allegations he made in parliament but said his remarks had "gained attention for these very serious matters".

He said the development "doesn't pass the smell test" and there were "so many elements that warrant closer examination".

Mr McDonald said he believed there had been a "failure of process" at Teesworks and welcomed the inquiry.