Blair 'understands' Blackpool casino misery

2007-05-01 17:04:14

Prime minister Tony Blair has said that he understands the dismay felt by Blackpool residents regarding the town's loss to Manchester in the super-casino race earlier this year.

But, writing to the Blackpool Gazette in response to the paper's petition, signed by over 11,000 people, Mr Blair noted while he understood the disappointment was real, the decision-making process was nonetheless above board.

"I do understand the strength of feeling in Blackpool and the very real disappointment that the Casino Advisory Panel's decision not to recommend Blackpool for the regional casino has caused," the prime minister said in a letter to the paper.

"[However] that should not detract from the fair and open manner in which the panel conducted the competition over 16 months," he added.

Earlier this month Mr Blair said that the decision was in some ways a pity, but reiterated his faith in the methods used to come to such a decision.


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