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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Super-casino axe is 'confirmed' | Super-casino axe is 'confirmed' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Plans for a giant super-casino in Manchester have been scrapped but ministers will go ahead with proposals for 16 large regional casinos. | Plans for a giant super-casino in Manchester have been scrapped but ministers will go ahead with proposals for 16 large regional casinos. |
| The BBC has learned that the decision is to be announced in a statement to the Commons after the half-term recess. | The BBC has learned that the decision is to be announced in a statement to the Commons after the half-term recess. |
| Gordon Brown ordered a review of the plans shortly after becoming PM, and a rethink has been confirmed in a letter to Scottish and Welsh executives. | Gordon Brown ordered a review of the plans shortly after becoming PM, and a rethink has been confirmed in a letter to Scottish and Welsh executives. |
| Manchester City Council says it will "not comment on a leak". | Manchester City Council says it will "not comment on a leak". |
| However, its officials have warned in the past they would legally challenge any u-turn. | However, its officials have warned in the past they would legally challenge any u-turn. |
| Concern | |
| The city was a surprise winner when it was chosen as the location of Britain's first Las Vegas-style super-casino. | The city was a surprise winner when it was chosen as the location of Britain's first Las Vegas-style super-casino. |
| It was named the preferred site in January 2007 at the expense of Blackpool, whose supporters said it would benefit more. | It was named the preferred site in January 2007 at the expense of Blackpool, whose supporters said it would benefit more. |
| There's going to be some bitter disappointment in Manchester where campaigners had hoped this would bring thousands of jobs to the area Carole WalkerBBC political correspondent | |
| But in March that year, peers rejected the plan by just three votes, after MPs had backed it by a majority of 24. | But in March that year, peers rejected the plan by just three votes, after MPs had backed it by a majority of 24. |
| The scheme was then put in doubt when Gordon Brown asked Communities Secretary Hazel Blears to carry out a review into other ways to regenerate Manchester. | The scheme was then put in doubt when Gordon Brown asked Communities Secretary Hazel Blears to carry out a review into other ways to regenerate Manchester. |
| That prompted concern from senior officials in the city who claimed the team behind the review had not even visited the proposed site of the super-casino in Beswick. | That prompted concern from senior officials in the city who claimed the team behind the review had not even visited the proposed site of the super-casino in Beswick. |
| The policy had been backed by former prime minister Tony Blair, who said in May that he thought both Manchester and Blackpool should get super-casinos, if there was sufficient investment. | The policy had been backed by former prime minister Tony Blair, who said in May that he thought both Manchester and Blackpool should get super-casinos, if there was sufficient investment. |
| Opposing views | |
| However, the decision to take the super-casino away from Manchester will effectively be seen as Mr Brown tearing up Mr Blair's plans. | However, the decision to take the super-casino away from Manchester will effectively be seen as Mr Brown tearing up Mr Blair's plans. |
| LARGE CASINOS Great YarmouthHullLeedsMiddlesbroughMilton KeynesNewhamSolihullSouthampton Q&A: What is a super-casino? | |
| BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said: "Tony Blair was very keen on the idea of a super-casino to regenerate run down areas. | |
| "Gordon Brown made it plain when he took over as prime minister he didn't share that view. | |
| "I think there's going to be some bitter disappointment in Manchester where campaigners had hoped this would bring thousands of jobs to the area and regenerate a rundown part of the city." | |
| SMALL CASINOS Bath and North East SomersetDumfries and GallowayEast Lindsey LutonScarboroughSwanseaTorbayWolverhampton | |
| The Department for Culture, Media and Sport insists there is still no decision on the super-casino at this time. | |
| "There is a statutory requirement for the secretary of state to consult Scottish and Welsh ministers before making a decision how to proceed," a spokesman said. | |
| "No final decision will be taken until ministers have had the opportunity to consider the views of Scottish and Welsh ministers." | |
| But Don Foster, the Lib Dems culture spokesman, said this showed the government's casino policy was "in disarray". | |
| "Both opposition parties had concerns about the super-casino, but were happy to see the eight small and large casinos go ahead," he said. | |
| "Why did it take such a delay and a further review for the government to concede we were right?" | |
| Last year, the then culture secretary James Purnell asked the 16 councils awarded licences for new larger casinos whether they had since had a "change of heart". | Last year, the then culture secretary James Purnell asked the 16 councils awarded licences for new larger casinos whether they had since had a "change of heart". |
| He wrote to them to confirm the councils' "continued desire" for a casino after several local authorities changed control in May's local elections. |