Tempers flared and sparks flew during a political debate between mayoral candidates today that saw one viewer brand them as “grown men playing like children in a playground”.

Teesworks, Teesside Airport, high street and poverty were just a few topics during the debate for candidates eager to be the next Tees Valley Mayor.

The debate, broadcast live on BBC Radio Tees at 11am today (April 24) was hosted by BBC Look North political editor Richard Moss with Helen Richardson.

The Northern Echo: Ben Houchen.Ben Houchen.

The three candidates in the race are current Mayor Ben Houchen (Conservative), Chris McEwan (Labour) and Simon Thorley (Liberal Democrats) and all three were questioned on their plans for the region just over a week before polls open on May 2.

One point of discussion was Teesside Airport – and what each candidate saw for its future in the next five to ten years.

The airport was brought into public ownership by Mayor Houchen in 2019 in a deal worth £40 million – but has not yet turned a profit.

Late last year, Teesside Airport was awarded the title of best UK airport for leisure travel and has announced plans for a £20 million investment – but, the question remained, what’s the plan for the future?

Mayor Houchen first hit out at Labour’s Chris McEwan, saying that he “personally proposed” that the airport should have been closed and “turned into a housing estate” before he “saved” it in 2017 when he was first elected as mayor.

The Northern Echo: Chris McEwan.Chris McEwan. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

He added: “It is absolutely vital that we are able to connect to the rest of the world, connect local businesses to opportunities and attract incredible investment.”

Mr McEwan hit back and said he “did not have any intent to close the airport”, stating he would continue to support it.

Mr Thorley weighed in and claimed that “nobody is telling the truth about the airport”, it is “not value for money”, and asked Lord Houchen how much money the airport owes the combined authority.

Tempers flared at this question by the Lib Dem candidate, prompting host Richard Moss to say: “The viewers cannot hear and listen to you if you are both shouting over each other.”

Lord Houchen then claimed he knew Mr McEwan would try and “mislead the public” and brought out papers from 2015 alleging that the Labour candidate was eager to develop housing on the land.

He added: “He is misleading the public by saying he supports the airport.”

But Mr McEwan affirmed that he would “back” the airport and lobby the government to support other local airports like Teesside.

Later in the debate, Teesworks was a fervent topic of discussion. Specifically, how it is going to be made a success and will bring jobs to the local area.

The Northern Echo: Simon Thorley.Simon Thorley. (Image: Chris Barron)

Lord Houchen has been under fire since May 2023 when a review was ordered to take place by levelling up the secretary Michael Gove into the project following allegations of “industrial scale corruption” by Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald.

These accusations came about after it was found that 90% of public assets in the development of the Redcar Steelworks were transferred to business owners Chris Musgrave and Martin Corney who are now able to profit from the site.

However, an independent review found there was no evidence of corruption and made 28 recommendations to the South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) to improve transparency and decision-making.

Despite this, questions remain upon business at the site as Chairman of Middlesbrough FC Steve Gibson today (April 24) stated that the deal was “unforgivable” in an exclusive interview with The Northern Echo.

Lib Dem candidate Simon Thorley was the first to weigh in and said: “The controversy is well established”.

He added that the money would go “straight into the pockets of these private developers who have invested nothing”.

Mr Thorley then affirmed that “nothing is off the table” including legal action to reclaim profits back to the public.

 Chris McEwan echoed this statement, stating, “a bad deal was done by Ben Houchen”, and a renegotiation is a “job that must be done”.

Replying, Mr Houchen said: “If a bad deal is creating 9,000 jobs... I would do that deal every day. It is fantastic for the area.”

Upon renegotiating a deal, Lord Houchen said he still believes it is a “great deal” before accusing the BBC and host Richard Moss of being partial.

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He said: “I am sad to see the BBC get sucked into the Labour press release. You are ignoring the fact it is creating thousands of jobs.

“I don’t know if you are trying to do the job on behalf of the Labour Party but the BBC should be impartial.”

Polls for the Tees Valley Mayoral Election open on May 2, with the result expected to be revealed on May 3.