MPs clash at Westminster over Casement Park plans

Mr Benn says it is important that Casement Park is built

MPs have clashed at Westminster over plans to redevelop Casement Park in time for the Euro 2028 football championships.

Secretary of State Hilary Benn said the government was working "as quickly as possible" to assess the options for Casement.

He also stressed "one way or another the project will be completed".

But unionist MPs challenged the Secretary of State over proposed government funding for the stadium.

'Indefensible'

TUV MP Jim Allister warned against "pouring millions of pounds" into the project at a time when the health service "needs fixed".

The DUP's Sammy Wilson said it would be "indefensible" if the government committed "£320m" to the stadium for just "five matches" at a time when there are "huge health waiting lists".

The DUP's Sammy Wilson says it would be "indefensible" if the government committed "£320m" to the stadium

Mr Wilson also raised the reported role of Labour's chief of staff Sue Gray in the negotiations around the project.

He asked for an assurance that the government had "not been influenced by personal interventions by the Chief of Staff of the Labour party".

Ms Gray has previously worked as a civil servant in Northern Ireland. She held the post of Permanent Secretary at the Department of Finance.

The redevelopment of the derelict stadium is being overseen by the Department for Communities

'Inherited a commitment'

In response to Mr Wilson, in what was his first Commons appearance at Northern Ireland questions as Secretary of State, Mr Benn said the government had "inherited a commitment to hosting the Euros as Casement Park".

But he added "nothing has happened" in the almost two years since UEFA awarded the right to host games.

"We have been left in a situation were the cost has gone through the roof and we don't know if we had the money if you could build it in time," he said.

'Stormont dither'

SDLP MP Claire Hanna criticised what she called the "sniping" from the unionist benches and blamed the "Stormont dither" and the inaction of the previous government for the delay.

The Secretary of State said the project was part of a 10-year commitment by the Executive.

"Windsor Park has been upgraded, Ravenhill has been upgraded and it is important that Casement is built. That is why I have said one way or another this project needs to be completed."

Nothing new about the topics

It was all change and no change for Hilary Benn’s debut at the dispatch box.

Unusually, the green benches were almost full as he faced his first Northern Ireland questions.

There were four new faces on the Northern Ireland benches - three of whom posed a question - the SDLP's two MPs crossed the floor and joined Labour on the government benches.

Though the party insists it will act independently and will, when needed, “hold Labours feet to the fire”.

But there was nothing new about the topics raised with legacy legislation and Casement Park topping the bill.

Only now, Hilary Benn has to find the answers to the very same questions he once posed from the opposition benches.