Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah has today received a response from the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to her letter regarding the ownership of Newcastle United Football Club.
Chi’s letter raised key questions about the financial transparency of NUFC following on from Chi’s petition on football club ownership and Mike Ashley’s letter to the Secretary of State defending his ownership of the club.
Chi welcomes the response of the Secretary of State and is considering what further action to take.
In particular she is pleased to see that Ernst and Young are carrying out an economic and social impact report for NUFC as well as the continuing work on football club asset sales.
Chi said:
“I welcome the Secretary of State’s letter which responds to several of my concerns regarding NUFC and club ownership more generally.”
“As the petition said, football is an integral part of our city’s social and cultural wellbeing and the concerns of fans need to be taken seriously. I’m pleased that the Secretary of State’s letter recognised this.”
“I would welcome comments from constituents as I prepare my response to the Government on these important issues which I still believe need action.”
Reply from the Secretary of State
Other links
Letter to Culture Secretary re: Mike Ashley and Football Petition: https://chionwurahmp.com/2018/08/letters-to-culture-secretary-and-bbc-director-general-on-mike-ashley-newcastle-united
Chi presents petition to Parliament on Football Club Ownership: https://chionwurahmp.com/2018/07/chi-onwurah-mp-presents-petition-to-parliament-on-football-club-ownership/
Chi’s response to Mike Ashley’s letter: https://chionwurahmp.com/2018/08/chis-response-to-mike-ashleys-letter
Chi’s Parliamentary Question on the need for greater financial transparency in football: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2018-11-01/debates/C6BD28BE-13D3-4B39-9F3C-854C1E45548F/GrassrootsFootball#contribution-7021D166-CA29-4E20-A2A7-41A9DF580C32
Response from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to Chi’s Petition: https://chionwurahmp.com/2018/10/chi-welcomes-commitment-to-hold-football-management-to-account/