Labour calls for probe into Robert Jenrick over funding for his own constituency

The revelations follow a report in The Times alleging Jenrick helped select Newark for the allocation, something the communities secretary has vehemently denied.

On Sunday, Jenrick insisted there was a “robust and fair” methodology behind the government’s Towns Fund and dismissed allegations that he had any involvement in Newark’s selection as “completely baseless”.

But shadow communities secretary Steve Reed has written to the head of the civil service requesting a Cabinet Office investigation into Jenrick, concerning how recipients of the multibillion-pound Towns Fund were decided.

Jenrick told Sky’s Ridge on Sunday: “My department’s officials have been very clear that we chose the towns for our £3.6 billion Towns Fund on a robust and fair methodology that is there for everybody to see.”

Asked if he would face MPs in the Commons to defend the situation, he added: “We’ve answered all the questions and (are) happy to answer any more that might arise. But there really is nothing to see here.”

But later, the communities secretary could not deny that he and minister Jake Berry had approved towns in each other’s constituencies to receive allocations of government funding.

Jenrick told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “If the question you’re coming to is was I involved in selecting my own community, absolutely not.

“Ministers do not get involved in their own constituencies. That decision was made by another minister in my department.”

Asked which minister made the decision, Jenrick replied: “It was made by Jake Berry.”

When pointed out that a town in Berry’s constituency also received money from the fund, Jenrick confirmed that he was the individual to have given that decision the go-ahead.

Jenrick said: “Well that was a decision made by another minister.”

Asked who made the decision, Jenrick added: “Well it was made by myself…”

He continued: “Andrew (Marr), with respect, this is perfectly normal. Ministers do not get involved in making decisions for their own constituencies, but neither should their constituencies be victims of the fact that they happen to be (represented by) a minister.

“This has been set out very clearly by the NAO (National Audit Office).”

Earlier this year Jenrick rebuffed calls for his resignation after he ensured a controversial housing development was agreed before a new levy was introduced which would have cost millions for its backer.