Hilary Benn MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, responding to action taken today Eric Pickles following events in Tower Hamlets , said:

“Given the allegations that have been made over several years, and the material submitted to the Communities and Local Government Secretary, some of which has now been passed on to the Metropolitan Police, about the running of Tower Hamlets, it is clearly in the public interest to establish the facts.

"Nobody should prejudge the outcome, and anyone who has information must present it to the inspectors. This audit must, of course, be full, open and transparent in order to command public confidence.”