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Planning inquiry clears Abrahams Apology demand from cleared donor
(about 4 hours later)
An independent inquiry has found no evidence of misconduct linking controversial Labour Party donor David Abrahams and two planning decisions. Labour Party donor David Abrahams has hit back at his critics after an inquiry found no evidence of misconduct in relation to planning decisions.
The District Auditor, who was called in to investigate, has submitted his findings to Durham Police, Easington Council and Durham County Council. The District Auditor was called in to investigate concerns about a business park proposed by Durham Green, one of Mr Abrahams' companies.
Concerns were raised about a business park proposed by Durham Green, a company controlled by Mr Abrahams. The Audit Commission said it had not found any "issues of concern".
But the Audit Commission said it had not found any "issues of concern." Mr Abrahams has now demanded an apology from Lib Dem MP Chris Huhne, who asked police to investigate.
Mr Abrahams came to prominence after it was discovered he had donated £663,975 to Labour under other people's names. Newcastle-based businessman, Mr Abrahams, came to prominence after it was discovered he had donated £663,975 to Labour under other people's names.
Last year, Lib Dem-controlled Durham City Council awarded the 540-acre business park, at the centre of the investigation, outline planning permission, despite initially being blocked by the Highways Agency.
New informationNew information
An outline application covering 64 acres was withdrawn in November 2005 after the Highways Agency ordered the council not to approve the plan over concerns about extra traffic on the A1(M). Last year, Lib Dem-controlled Durham City Council awarded the 540-acre business park outline planning permission, despite initially being blocked by the Highways Agency.
But the Highways Agency withdrew the objection for the latest plan, provided "appropriate planning conditions" were attached to the scheme. This was withdrawn after the Highways Agency ordered the council not to approve the plan over concerns about extra traffic.
Concerns were raised over the agency's unexpected withdrawal of its objections. Concerns were raised when the Highways Agency then withdrew the objection for a later plan, provided "appropriate planning conditions" were attached to the scheme.
But a statement released by the Audit Commission said: "The District Auditor has carried out a preliminary review but has not identified any issues of concern. A statement released by the Audit Commission 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. "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." 'False and malicious'
Mr Abrahams said he would never be party to any misconduct.
He described the remarks by the Lib Dems who asked for the investigation as "false, cruel and malicious", and demanded an apology from Mr Huhne.
He said: "I suggest he withdraws his remarks, apologises and contributes towards the costs of the investigation. That's the least he can do."
Mr Huhne said: "The Durham Police and Audit Commission inquiry was triggered by the Metropolitan Police, to whom I complained about the hidden donations to the Labour Party which the prime minister admitted were unlawful.
"British politics must be clean and be seen to be clean, and the attempt to hide unlawful party political donations should always be fully investigated to ensure that the secret donors received no public benefit."