West Ham stadium deal costs taxpayers £19m a year, officials say

Garner said she would “absolutely not” sign the current deal in place if it was presented to the organisation now, and said some vague aspects of the agreement have led to legal disputes over the contract.

“The relationship with the football club historically has been quite tense,” she told assembly members.

“We’ve disagreed on interpretations around the contractual piece. And I don’t think that’s any surprise when the taxpayer is under such a huge pressure.

“It’s a very good contract for West Ham United. Well done, is what I say, in terms of the original negotiation – but it causes pressures and tensions.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s fair or not. A commercial deal was done, and we’re in a contract, and we must honour it.”

“I’d like to see the whole thing set aside and to start again, but I can’t see that happening,” she added.

Garner outlined five measures to help mitigate the annual losses:

The committee had invited Karim Virani, the new interim chief executive officer (CEO) of WHUFC, and former mayor Boris Johnson, in front of the committee, but neither was able to make it.

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