Swire Accuses Prescott of Compromising Casino Bidding Process

After the announcement of the Casino Advisory Panel of the results in the first round of their assessment, Conservative shadow culture secretary Hugo Swire commented that John Prescott has compromised the super-casino selection process with his controversial link to bidder Philip Anschutz.

Philip Anschutz is the Millennium Dome owner, the site in Greenwich that bagged the top sport in the Casino Advisory Panel assessment. The Dome's ranking on the list sparked fresh speculations over Prescott's influence on the casino selection process.

"Greenwich are in the unenviable position where if they are successful, their competitors will cry foul because of the unprecedented access to the government enjoyed by the Dome's owners," said Swire. "As a result of Mr Prescott's actions, the government risks being mired in legal challenges for years to come."

The assessment included the following criteria, social impact, need for regeneration and probability of implementation. Glasgow came in second, while Blackpool came in third.

Government officials have been quick to assure the public that the selection process was independent with the issue surrounding Prescott and Dome owner Anschutz.

"The two things are purely coincidental," said a spokesperson acting for the panel. "We have had absolutely no pressure from any ministers put on us whatsoever."