THE North-East property developer at the centre of a police probe into donations to the Labour Party says he will give all profits from a £750m business park to charity.
David Abrahams revealed he will donate the proceeds from building Durham Green Business Park, near Bowburn, to causes he has supported in the past.
He said: “Business only takes up a small percentage of my time. What I mainly do is charity, politics and international affairs.
“Business is what you might call a sideline. If there’s a profit on this scheme, it will go to charity.”
The Newcastle-based millionaire hit the headlines when it was revealed he made donations of more than £650,000 to the Labour Party using other people’s names.
Questions were also raised over an earlier blueprint for the business park and a housing scheme in Haswell, east Durham.
Mr Abrahams was cleared of any wrongdoing in both cases.
Yesterday, The Northern Echo exclusively revealed Mr Abrahams is drawing up expanded plans for Durham Green, with the potential to create 7,000 jobs.
Last night, Mr Abrahams said he had been approached by several companies interested in relocating to the proposed development and expressed regret building had not begun two years ago, because one large firm has since found alternative premises.
“We’ve got to ensure the facilities are available ahead of time, for when we come out of the recession,” he said.
“We have had companies express an interest. No contracts have been signed. We are in negotiations. There is demand out there.
“I only wish it had been built a couple of years ago.”
Referring to the investigation into Labour Party donations, Mr Abrahams said: “At the appropriate time, when the Crown Prosecution Service has adjudicated, I will be making a statement.
“Whilst there’s a police investigation ongoing I think it would be entirely inappropriate to discuss it.”
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