Wembley hit by pay battle

The fiasco surrounding the new Wembley Stadium escalated today.

Staff working on the retractable roof have stopped work in a row that threatens to further delay the £757million project, hit by a variety of problems since work began two years ago. Steel contractor Cleveland Bridge, which erected Wembley's 350-metre arch, is involved in a dispute with the main contractor, Multiplex, over design changes.

Multiplex is reported to owe Cleveland up to £10million. A new contractor, Hollandia, has been brought in to take over steel works on the site.

Multiplex is in discussions with its lawyers and has declined to comment on the row. However, a spokesman said it was "confident" the new contractors would stick to the agreed schedule.