To get to the essence of what's wrong with Robert Jenrick's handling of the 1,500 home Westferry Printworks scheme, you first have to ignore accusations by Labour MPs -scenting blood - that developer Richard Desmond bought the planning permission with a £12,000 donation to the Tory party. This case is not about direct corruption. The nature of the donation and the - in relative terms - small amount mean it is about undermining a quasi-judicial system by inappropriate access. Cash for access, perhaps, rather than cash for favours.
展开▼
