An inquiry into who will operate a Las Vegas-style casino in Newham gets underway today, mostly behind closed doors.

Press and public at East Ham Town Hall have been told that after the opening statements they will have to leave the meeting of Newham Council’s licensing committee because of the commercial sensitivity of the evidence.

Members are due to hear presentations from each of the three firms who have put their names forward to run a so-called “large casino” in the borough.

The options include two sites in the Docklands - at Silvertown Quays and Gallions Reach - and a third at Westfield Stratford City.

We understand that a final decision is unlikely to be made today.