Supercasino u-turn 'must be offset by investment'

2007-09-19 14:47:37

The government's u-turn on a proposed casino in east Manchester has led to loss of investment in the city, the Liberal Democrats have said.

Party chiefs have said that Gordon Brown must now find alternative ways of creating jobs and guaranteeing investment in Manchester.

Withington MP John Leech has also called on the prime minister to provide "desperately needed" regeneration money, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Simon Ashley, who leads the party on the city council, said: "If Gordon Brown has a moral objection to a supercasino he also has a moral obligation to fund an alternative regeneration package."

Earlier this year, the Casino Advisory Panel urged the government to grant Manchester a supercasino licence, a recommendation that was thrown out by the House of Lords.

After remaining in limbo until Gordon Brown took over the reins as prime minister, the supercasino project was effectively quashed pending a review.