Town hall chiefs have sought advice from counsel amid speculation Gordon Brown plans to push ahead with 16 smaller casinos across the country - while dumping the supercasino planned for Beswick.
The M.E.N. revealed on Tuesday how the council had drawn up plans to seek a judicial review if that should happen.
The move could force the government to abandon plans for the 16 smaller casinos - sparking outrage in the proposed locations and causing Mr Brown maximum political embarrassment.
The prime minister has made it known he is sceptical about plans for a supercasino and ordered Salford MP Hazel Blears to lead a review of whether there were better ways of regenerating areas like east Manchester.
Ms Blears - who has remained silent on the issue despite repeated approaches by the M.E.N. - is due to report back in a matter of weeks.
Now it has emerged that the council has taken legal advice and been told any attempt by the government to push through the 16 smaller casinos while dropping the supercasino could face problems if challenged.
Turmoil
The House of Commons agreed the locations of all 17 casinos when it voted on the package in March. The House of Lords voted against by three votes - throwing the process into turmoil.
Tony Blair, then prime minister, pledged to "put right" the decision but made no progress before Mr Brown took over in summer.
Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of the council, said yesterday: "If a decision is taken that prejudices Manchester's position then we will have to consider all options.
"We have got to be prepared to do whatever is necessary to protect Manchester."
The council would consider dropping the challenge if Ms Blears or Mr Brown put forward proposals that would create similar levels or investment and jobs in east Manchester.
But research commissioned by town hall chiefs suggest no such "plan B" exists.
The supercasino, plus a range of leisure facilities, hotels and housing that would be built as part of the complex - would create 3,500 jobs and be worth £1bn over a decade.
Simon Ashley, leader of the council's Lib Dem opposition, threw his weight behind Sir Howard last night.
"I know the council would rather not do his, but this is about whether Manchester is taken seriously by government and Westminster," he said. "Sir Howard and I discussed this possibility several months ago, and he has flagged it up in meetings he has had with all the main political parties in Westminster."Sir Howard knows he has my full support on this issue. The stakes are high, but so are the rewards."
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'sir' howard bernstein says that he has flagged this issue up for months and has taken legal advice already. well mr bernstein you are a paid employee of manchester council and residents - you are NOT an elected councillor so please keep your opinions to yourself and lastly do not get too fre in spending council tax payers money on legal fees.
chief executives can be sackedf you know, and your mate tricky dicky can be dumped at the polls so remember these sailient facts.
the joke is that a labour council is trying to take a labour government to court for not keeping its promises.
The Manchester business community and Chamber of Commerce support the supercasino in Manchester; the Labour Council do; the local Labour MPs do and now the Liberal Democrats in the Town Hall do so too! Wow! Even the Tories supported the supercasino in Manchester - up until a few days before the vote that is. And every time Channel M News do a vox pops on the streets of Beswick - it seems 80% of the local residents want the supercasino there also.
So go for it - take Gordon Brown to court. The country is now seeing just what an inept leader he is - totally obsessed with pleasing Londoners and who none of us voted for! But who will Hazel Blears back - Manchester or the "soon to be disposed" Gordon??
If manchesters legal people loose the case will they repay the ratepayers their money back?Its easy for the Lawyers to say they "Could win" But win or loose they get paid. but for once lat them put their money where their mouths are.. no win no fee,this way it wont cost the ratepayer anything...
Ace is right (!!!)
The lawyers always say that you 'could' win - but when you lose, it's not their fault - and then they'll suggest that you appeal!! Who gets rich? Well, did you ever see a thin barrister?
Or if the lawyers wont do a no win no fee ,Maybe Mr bernstein would underwrite the cost if the council lost? After all its him whos pushing for the case for a casino? ..Money where your mouths are.
What about the people of Manchester having a say on this, after all it is them who will have to foot the bill.
Is it any wonder the council are so keen for this development to go ahead which is situated in the heart of its proposed Congestion Zone. The leaders of the council must be going apoplectic with rage with the loss of Congestion Charge revenue from this development that its already built into the profits from this Stealth Tax. There must be thousands of parking spaces allowed on the plans for this development if it gets the permission to open.
yippie...lets spend money fighting for low paid low skill jobs. Loads of unsociable jobs are just what we need "sorry darling, mummy can’t read you a bed time story as she has to go and serve cocktails to a load of people spending money they don’t have”.
I hope we dont get the casino. we already have a problem with gangs and guns, do we really need to agrevate the problem and make it worse.
Manchester has become a city "all fur and nae knickers" !!
The gap between the "Haves and the have nots" is growing? we have a area where we have appartments that cost £200,000 and people who struggle to live each week? and they want to build a casino that will pay the minimum wage?YEA THAT WILL SURELY BRING US ALL OUT OF POVERTY??I THINK NOT.