Millwall's future at The Den under threat after inquiry finds no Lewisham Council wrongdoing
Tuesday 28 November 2017 15:13, UK
Millwall supporters are again worried about the future of their club after a public inquiry into the compulsory purchase of land around The Den concluded there was no wrongdoing.
Lord Dyson QC led the independent inquiry into inaccurate claims of funding by a property developer at the heart of a land deal which threatened Millwall's existence in Lewisham.
His report concluded that serious allegations against some Lewisham council officers and members were unfounded and rejected serious allegations made by Millwall FC about the propriety of the process.
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Nick Hart of the Association of Millwall Supporters told Sky Sports News: "I don't know what's going to happen now but it certainly leaves the club's future in jeopardy again. Millwall faces an uncertain future in Bermondsey."
The Sky Bet Championship club and their supporters have always questioned the compulsory purchase order of the land around their stadium.
Plans to seize Millwall's land around their stadium as part of the New Bermondsey regeneration were put on hold when questions surfaced around funding promises by offshore-registered property developer Renewal, via their charity Surrey Canal Sports Foundation and an inquiry was launched into the deal in February.
Lord Dyson's conclusions were welcomed by Lewisham council, whose cabinet spokesperson Chris Best said: "Now the independent Inquiry report has been published we urge all parties involved in the New Bermondsey development to work together to agree a way forward to bring much-needed new jobs and homes to the area and ensure Millwall FC is based in Lewisham for generations to come."
Millwall also issued a statement which read: "Although Millwall Football Club provided a written submission to Lord Dyson, as he requested, and attended an oral hearing in July, we have heard nothing since then and have had no advance warning of any of the content or conclusions of the report.
"Therefore, we have only just seen the report for the first time and must now read it carefully and give it due consideration before we make any comment. The speed with which Lewisham Council has published information would seem to suggest that they had seen the report in advance and have had time to prepare their commentary."
