Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen has been given a peerage in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours.
The mayor, a key supporter of the former PM and flag-bearer for his levelling-up agenda, will soon be the subject of an investigation set up by levelling up secretary Michael Gove.
Allegations have been made of cronyism, lack of transparency and poor value for money at the 4,500-acre Teesworks regeneration, which he leads.
Houchen wants the investigation to prove he did not make underhand deals with two developers and Gove has said he had seen “no evidence of corruption, wrongdoing or illegality”.
The resignation honours were confirmed on Friday, the same day the former PM resigned as an MP, following the decision by a House of Commons committee to suspend him for 20 days.
Former levelling up secretary Simon Clarke was handed a knighthood in the same list, which rewarded 40 of Johnson’s key allies.
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