• Olympic Stadium

West Ham talk to police over 'unlawful' Spurs conduct

ESPN staff
August 4, 2011
West Ham are convinced they have acted lawfully throughout the Olympic Stadium bidding process © PA Photos
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Tottenham could find themselves in a fierce legal battle with West Ham after the Hammers confirmed they are in talks with police regarding the possibility of Spurs employing a private investigator during the two clubs' battle for the Olympic Stadium.

West Ham won the right to move into the Olympic Stadium, but there is belief by the east London club that Spurs may have "acted unlawfully". A statement released by the Hammers served warning to Tottenham that legal action could follow.

"West Ham remain in contact with police with regard to the serious matter of a private investigator acting unlawfully, reportedly under instruction by Tottenham Hotspur," read a statement.

"This matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness by the club, especially given the methods claimed to have been used to obtain this personal information in relation to reported breaches of the Data Protection Act - as a result of the unlawful acquisition of bank and telephone records belonging to senior executives at the club and the Olympic Park Legacy Company.

"This activity, if proven, can attract custodial sentences for the perpetrators."

West Ham also announced that "independent" legal experts have advised the club that nothing should stop them taking over the Olympic Stadium, despite challenges from Spurs and Leyton Orient and allegations of insider dealings.

The Hammers hired "external counsel" from prestigious barristers Blackstone Chambers to conduct the in-depth legal evaluation, with the club releasing a statement on Wednesday outlining its findings.

"An independent barrister's investigation has found nothing that compromises the integrity of the decision to make West Ham United the preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium," the statement read.

"The findings - which completely exonerate the club over the matter and showed it acted lawfully at all times - came after the consideration of all relevant correspondence and documentation, along with statements from all relevant officials. The barrister had total and unfettered access to all emails and other documents sent and received, along with any information required.

"The report found no confidential information was passed by the OPLC [Olympic Park Legacy Committee] to West Ham United through Ms [Dionne] Knight (an OPLC employee who was paid for consultancy work by West Ham). Similarly, it found that no person at the club has at any point considered themselves to have an improper source of information or influence within the OPLC.

"With regard to Ms Knight, by far the bulk of the invoiced work took place after the decision of the OPLC to confer preferred bidder status and consisted of the transparent preparation of extensive procurement-related documentation."

The West Ham statement added: "It concluded firmly that Ms Knight's work had in no way affected the integrity of the joint West Ham United-London Borough of Newham bid which was approved by the Olympic Park Legacy Company."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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