Chloe calls for national enquiry into the conduct of Connaught

Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, and Simon Wright, MP for Norwich South, today release joint letters to DBIS Ministers Mark Prisk and Ed Davey asking for a national enquiry into the conduct of the directors of collapsed firm Connaught.

This demand is in addition to calls from both MPs for a local, independent enquiry into the City Council's contract with the failed firm.

The letter argues:

"We believe that this is justified and that it would contribute to resolving the current crisis for our local council, as they endeavour to analyse the situation and re-let one of Connaught's largest contracts. It is vital for us to understand locally how our council could have been taken in by this company."

The two city MPs today also offer constructive help to Norwich City Council in dealing with any other national issues which may arise in analysing the scandal.

Chloe Smith comments further:

"Most people want to see an independent enquiry into just how the City Council has got into this position. I think there should be a local look - not behind closed doors at the council - at who knew what, when, within Norwich City Council about Connaught throughout this disaster. Today as local MPs we are adding a call for a national enquiry into the collapsed firm's behaviour - in other words, how could the City have fallen for Connaught?

At the same time, obviously, we are offering help to work with the City Council to put some of this problem right for tenants, workers and the city. We are asking for a meeting with Ministers to raise all aspects, local and national, of this sorry saga."

Simon Wright comments further:

"The impact on Norwich of the Connaught collapse has been dreadful. A full investigation into the process and quality of advice that led to City Council allocating these contracts is essential if we're to be reassured that due diligence was applied. A national enquiry will also help establish whether the company behaved appropriately in its dealings with local councils.

"We're very keen to get further information from the council on the details of any national procurement rules that they felt that they had to award contracts to an abnormally low bid. While I accept that the Council wants to move on, it's vital that we reflect on why we're in this dreadful position and whether it could have been avoided."