Tottenham Hotspur FC 'put Olympic board under surveillance'

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club was today accused of putting the 14 board members of the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) under surveillance during its bid to take over the Populous-designed Olympic stadium in legacy mode.

Margaret Ford, chair of the OPLC, made the claim at a meeting of the London Assembly’s economy culture and sports (ELC) committee today. She added that police were investigating.

“My board was put under surveillance by Tottenham Hotspur,” she said. “The Metropolitan Police are now conducting an investigation into that.”

The board includes Newham mayor Robin Wales and cross-bench peer Lord Mawson.

Dee Doocey, chair of the ELC committee, also attacked the alleged behaviour of the football club.

She said: “It almost beggars belief that this thing can happen. The idea of any board being put under surveillance is absolutely disgraceful.”

Earlier this year, Tottenham Hotspur lost out to rival West Ham to take over the stadium following the 2012 games, prompting the north London club to take legal action.

Subsequently, West Ham’s plans collapsed after the OPLC halted negotiations because of the legal battle with Tottenham Hotspur.

The stadium will now be owned by the public with a new tender process for a post-games occupier due to be launched soon.