MPs have refused to accept the Prime Minister’s attempts to close down questions over Robert Jenrick’s decision on the Westferry Printworks planning application.

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee chair, Clive Betts, has written to the secretary of state with further questions, stating he ‘respectfully disagrees with the Prime Minister’s assertion that “the matter is closed”.

Mr Betts’ demanded answers, claiming the information provided by the secretary of state so far left ‘important gaps’ in the story. 

While the letter stated it makes no accusation of wrong-doing, it said evidence put forward so far ‘clearly demonstrates that serious mistakes were made’.

It has asked for further details around the dinner Mr Jenrick shared with developer and conservative donor Richard Desmond, why the meeting was not made public, and whether the Prime Minister knew about the meeting.

Mr Betts has also asked for an explanation on how the planning decision was made and why Tower Hamlets LBC’s 35% target of affordable homes was reduced to 21%.

Photo: © N Chadwick