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Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick in Downing Street, London.
HOUSING SECRETARY Robert Jenrick defended his actions in a “cash for favours” scandal today by saying that it was an “occupational hazard” for planning ministers to be lobbied by developers.
He also said it was “perfectly fair” that he fast-tracked a controversial housing development in January that could have potentially saved billionaire former press baron Richard Desmond as much as £50 million in a tax imposed by Tower Hamlets council.
His justification comes after him having had to quash his own approval for Mr Desmond’s 1,500-home scheme on the Isle of Dogs earlier this year after conceding that the decision was unlawful due to “apparent bias.”
Liverpool Trades Council has unveiled a ‘People’s Budget’ to fight £56m cuts and council tax rises. DEAN YOUNG reports
Once derided by Farage as a ‘fraud,’ Jenrick has defected to Reform, bringing experience and political ruthlessness to the populist right — and raising the unsettling prospect of a Farage-led movement with a seasoned operative pulling the strings, says ANDREW MURRAY