Legal advice sought on racetrack reports

THE Welsh Government is understood to be seeking legal advice about whether “fit and proper person” tests on those behind the Circuit of Wales project could be published without the consent of those involved.

Ken Skates, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, confirmed to AMs during a Senedd plenary session that none of the project’s directors was prepared to grant permission for the reports to be released.

In June the Welsh Cabinet decided against providing a £210m loan guarantee to the Circuit, a £433m project to build a motorsport racetrack above Ebbw Vale.

Last week the Welsh Government published four due diligence reports on the project, showing that 26 key risks had been identified, including one that it could default on loan repayments after two years.

The “fit and proper person” tests on company directors associated with the project were not published. It is understood the directors have objected to their publication.

A Welsh Government source said legal advice was being sought on publishing the reports without consent. The source said: “Anyone wanting the taxpayer to guarantee millions of pounds on their ability to deliver a project should be willing to let the taxpayer have access to such information.”

Monmouth Conservative MP David Davies, who is opposed to further public financing of the project, said: “Given that more than £9m of public funds have already been given to the Circuit of Wales, these ‘fit and proper person’ reports should be published. I have submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Welsh Government asking for the reports to be disclosed.”

Jonathan Coad, the solicitor who represents Mr Carrick and the Circuit of Wales, said: “We have no comment to make.”