---

MG Rover

: Proof is always difficult to get from this Government, because they try to hide from it most of the time. However, it is worth reviewing what was said at the time by the then Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for North Tyneside. He said that he was happy, and continued:"““I would like to add my personal congratulations to John Towers for the way in which he pulled the consortium together and brought what I know have been difficult negotiations to a successful conclusion, he has been determined and dogged in the face of hostility and criticism. His personal strengths will be invaluable to the Phoenix consortium.””" How very prescient that was, certainly when it came to Mr. Towers' own pocket. The right hon. Gentleman continued:"““we have taken an active role to facilitate the commercial negotiations over the future of Rover . . . It was the Government who brought John Towers and BMW together for their first face-to-face meeting a month ago on 10 April and we have remained in contact with both parties throughout the negotiations.””—[Official Report, 9 May 2000; Vol. 349, c. 645.]" That is as near as it possibly can be to proof that there was a stitch-up by the Government.