Sadiq Khan orders investigation into London Stadium’s £51million extra costs

West Ham's London Stadium (Pic: Adam Davy/PA) (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

His predecessor Boris Johnson said the cost of turning the former Olympic Stadium into a football ground would be £272m last year, but this amount has now risen to £323m.

It is believed that the price of retractable seating, used to accommodate football matches and music concerts alike, is the key factor in the cost hike.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “The Mayor is deeply concerned about the finances of the Olympic Stadium, which have clearly been left in a total and utter mess by the previous administration at City Hall.

“Sadiq has ordered a detailed investigation into the full range of financial issues surrounding the stadium.”

The investigation will attempt to address issues including the cost of moving the retractable seating.

Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales has given his “full support” to Mr Khan’s calls for an independent review.

“It is clear the transformation costs are considerably higher than previously reported and we have a duty to taxpayers to scrutinise this,” he said.

“As co-owners of the stadium, the review will report back to Newham Council and the Greater London Authority (GLA).

“We invested in the stadium to ensure it delivered a lasting legacy from the 2012 Games and deliver significant benefits for Newham residents, London and the nation.”

The Olympic Stadium Coalition – a collection of 14 football supporters’ trusts and groups – have also welcomed the Mayor of London’s comments.

“This is a breakthrough in our long campaign to highlight the intolerable burden on taxpayers of the rebuilding of the Olympic Stadium to the specification of a well off Premier League football club,” they said.

They added: “The Mayor’s investigation is good news, a good starting point, but it is only a start.”

West Ham United have been contacted by the Recorder but the club declined to comment.