Hearn will fight to block West Ham Olympic Stadium move
LEYTON ORIENT chairman Barry Hearn has stepped up his campaign to prevent West Ham completing their proposed relocation to the Olympic Stadium, urging Prime Minister David Cameron to block a move he believes could put his club out of business.
Hearn (right) has written to Cameron, Mayor of London Boris Johnson and other ministers asking them to delay rubber-stamping West Ham’s bid while an investigation is held into the potential damage it could do to the League One outfit. Orient’s chairman, who is considering seeking a judicial review of the decision to grant the stadium to the Hammers, fears his team’s attendances will be slashed if the Premier League club moves to within little more than a mile and carries out plans to offer discounted tickets.
“The government has a responsibility to take into account all the effects of any ruling they take,” said Hearn. “To have West Ham on our doorstep offering discounted tickets would seriously bring into question the survival of Leyton Orient.”
West Ham, meanwhile will have to wait at least another 12 days before learning whether their bid will get government backing. A formal statement has been delayed until after the Parliamentary recess.