Teesworks 'corruption' report due mid-December - Houchen

The former steelworks site has received hundreds of millions in government support

A report investigating claims of corruption at the Teesworks site is expected mid-December.

The allegations are vehemently denied by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, who requested the inquiry.

Mr Houchen confirmed they expect the report next month but may not publish until January, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Teesworks is a 4,500-acre former steelworks site being converted for green industry.

An investigation was launched in June after allegations of cronyism and corruption surrounding finances at the Redcar site.

It was first reported that the findings would be published in the summer.

• Site corruption probe sent 'thousands of pages'

Allegations of corruption are denied by Mr Houchen, who requested the inquiry to "nip allegations of wrongdoing in the bud".

'A stain on Teesside's reputation'

The inquiry was commissioned by the government, which has invested hundreds of millions at the site.

A spokesperson for the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) said it has provided more than 700 documents to the panel and answered more than 185 questions.

Conservative Mayor Ben Houchen said the TVCA will be able to check over the document for "factual errors" before it is published.

Mr Houchen said they have seen a "drop-off" in interest from potential investors

A TVCA committee meeting heard earlier this month how negative press had driven away company Atlantic Superconnector, which planned to build a North East cable factory, from Teesworks to Blyth.

Mr Houchen added: "Even when the investigation comes out and finds there was no illegality, it will leave a stain on Teesside's reputation."

The Teesworks and freeport project is aimed at regenerating Redcar's former SSI steelworks site and is led by Mr Houchen.

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald previously used parliamentary privilege to allege "industrial-scale corruption" around the Teesworks redevelopment of the former Redcar steelworks.

Mr Houchen challenged Mr McDonald to repeat the allegations of corruption without the protection of parliamentary privilege.

Mr McDonald said the Teesworks deal "doesn't pass the smell test" but stopped short of repeating the claims.