A COURT has heard how work began on the Wembley Stadium project without its construction plans being finalised.

The Technology and Construction Court, in London, heard that a North-East engineering company was asked to use plans which were not suitable for construction purposes.

However, the man placed in charge of the Wembley development by Australian company Multiplex said delays to the project were caused by the "incompetence" of Darlington-based Cleveland Bridge.

Ashley Muldoon, the Wembley project director, gave evidence yesterday on the second day of the multi-million pound legal battle between the two companies.

Cleveland Bridge is alleging that Multiplex forced it out of the Wembley project in order to cut costs.

The company, which constructed the stadium's arch, stopped working on the development in 2004.

Cleveland Bridge is being sued for damages totalling £45m by Multiplex and in return is suing the developer for £22.6m it says it is still owed.

Yesterday, the court heard how in his witness statement, Mr Muldoon described the workforce at Cleveland Bridge as "incompetent" and "unmotivated".

He said he felt Cleveland Bridge was "dragging its feet" and caused several delays at the site.

Hugh Tomlinson, for Cleveland Bridge, said many of the delays were caused by contractors Motts Stadium Consultancy not providing construction plans in enough time or making changes.

On one occasion, he said Cleveland Bridge was asked to work from plans labelled "not suitable for fabrication purposes".

Mr Muldoon said at the beginning of the project, the design was incomplete.

Mr Tomlinson said: "You didn't tell Cleveland Bridge the design was incomplete.

"Nowhere in the documents is there a statement for Cleveland Bridge saying the design was incomplete - quite the contrary."

Mr Muldoon said he had been aware of problems with the designs.

But he added: "As it went on, it became increasingly a bad argument. I couldn't accept that that excuse would go on forever."

Mr Muldoon denied that an "Armageddon Day" operation had been put in place to force Cleveland Bridge out of business.

This was despite Cleveland Bridge managing director Brian Rogan overhearing someone at Wembley say that once the arch was up, "...those f*****s are off the job".

The case continues.