POSTED: April 15th 2011
NewsUpdate
Council under more pressure as Hearn goes to court over 2012 stadium
KEIR RADNEDGE / Sports Features Communications
LONDON, Apr 15: Leyton Orient have followed Tottenham Hotspur in starting proceedings which will, at the least, freeze discussions over West Ham's takeover of the London Olympic stadium after the 2012 Games.
The east London club - closest geographically to the Olympic Park - are seeking High Court permission for a judicial review against Newham Borough Council. Barry Hearn, the millionaire sports promoter who owns the League One (third division) club, doubts the legality of Newham Council's decision to loan £40m to the joint venture company which would run the stadium and rent it to West Ham.
Hearn says he objected, during the consideration process by the Olympic Legacy Park Company, that his club's existence would be endangered if a Premier League club moved within two miles of Oreint's Brisbane Road ground.
Rules challenge
Orient are also planning a judicial review application against the OPLC, the Government, the Minister of Sport and London Mayor Boris Johnson.
Hearn also claims the Premier League ignored its own rules by giving West Ham the go-ahead. He said: "The whole plan is that we do not want West Ham in the Olympic Stadium, it is black and white, we think they are on our patch. We think various parties have acted unlawfully and illegally and they need to be called to task.
"We have started today with the official announcement we have submitted for judicial review an application request against Newham Borough Council. This is an all-encompassing charge by Leyton Orient, a battle by the little man against the big forces of evil if you like, this represents a challenge to our future and we have no choice but to fight our corner, and we believe we have right on our side."
Keywords · Leyton Orient · Hearn · Olympic Park Legacy Company · West Ham · Olympic Stadium · London 2012
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