In a significant development in the Tees Valley mayoral race, Middlesbrough FC Chairman Steve Gibson has endorsed Labour candidate Chris McEwan and launched a scathing attack on the current Mayor, Ben Houchen, over the TeesworksUK deal. Gibson accused Houchen of mishandling the deal, alleging that the mayor 'gifted' £500 million in future value to two associates, effectively compromising the region's future. Labour MP Matt Western also criticized Houchen, claiming he has sold the people of Teesside 'down the river'. This endorsement and criticism were highlighted as part of an exclusive report by Chris Lloyd of The Northern Echo.
Ben Houchen, the Tory Teesside Mayor, may well be out of a job by next Friday. #PMQs @mattwestern MP says how the Boro FC Chair Steve Gibson has described Houchen as having 'gifted' £500 million of value "to 2 of his mates" Oliver Dowden replies with a whimper. https://t.co/gbir0MHe0F
According to local legend & Boro Chairman, Steve Gibson, the Mayor of Tees Valley Lord Houchen has “gifted” some £500 MILLION in future value to 2 of his mates. Teesside Taxpayers have been sold down the river🧵 https://t.co/AKONjFaVIa
'Steve Gibson describes the mayor of Tees Valley as having given away the future of the region's children' Labour MP Matt Western says Lord @BenHouchen has sold the people of Teesside 'down the river' #boro https://t.co/1VLMah8Haw
🚨Tomorrow's @TheNorthernEcho. An @Echochrislloyd EXCLUSIVE🚨 🧐Extraordinary development in the Tees Valley mayor race as Boro's Steve Gibson launches a scathing attack on @BenHouchen over @TeesworksUK deal and endorses his rival Labour's @chrismcewan11 #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/m063S5r856
Extraordinary development in the Tees Valley mayoral election race tonight Boro chairman Steve Gibson has come out and endorsed Labour's @chrismcewan11 and launched a scathing attack on Ben Houchen and Teesworks ✍️ Exclusive @Echochrislloyd https://t.co/0r1iWmkP9L