The government has agreed to quash planning permission for the huge Westferry Printworks scheme in east London after accepting secretary of state Robert Jenrick had shown “apparent bias” in approving it.

It chose to do this rather than release correspondence between the minister and the developer, Northern & Shell which is owned by former Daily Express owner Richard Desmond, a former donor to both the Conservative Party and UKIP. The government’s reluctance to be transparent has sparked anger among critics.

The 1,524-home scheme designed by PLP was approved controversially in January by Jenrick against the recommendation of a planning inspector.

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