As one of the Welsh Government’s panel of silks, John Whitting QC has been instructed in one of Wales’ most politically contentious cases of recent years. It concerns the sale by the Welsh Government of a portfolio of publicly owned real estate to finance, in partnership with the EU, a series of regeneration schemes across the country. The realisation of that portfolio, in a single deal, for only £21m, is said to have been a gross undervaluation of the assets which should, given their development potential, have achieved a price tens of millions of pounds higher.
The transaction has proved highly controversial and led to an investigation by the Welsh Audit Office as well as by the Public Accounts Committee of the Welsh Assembly. First Minister Carwyn Jones has also apologised to the Assembly over the matter. The Welsh Government was advised throughout by Lambert Smith Hampton and Amber Fund Management against whom an action for professional negligence and breach of contract has now been brought.
John is leading Peter Ratcliffe of 3VB and is instructed by Paul Hopkins of Geldards.
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