THE Circuit of Wales has defended the former Labour leader Neil Kinnock - a member of its advisory board - amid reports he asked Blaenau Gwent's council to provide a £50 million loan to the project.

It has been reported that the former Islwyn MP, who now sits in the House of Lords, previously sent a letter to then-leader of the Blaenau Gwent council Hedley McCarthy, asking for huge sums of funding on behalf of the company behind the ambitious race track scheme.

A Circuit of Wales spokesman said: "Lord Kinnock is dedicated to attracting investment and creating sustainable jobs in Blaenau Gwent, where he was born and raised.

“We are grateful to Lord Kinnock and all those many parties who are working tirelessly, often unremunerated, to ensure this project goes ahead.

“People in Blaenau Gwent and elsewhere reject the constant undermining and negative attitude of a very small minority outside the community and want to focus on advancing the great benefit that this scheme will bring to Wales.

“We make absolutely no apologies to seeking from all parties positive and definitive action to deliver this transformational project.”

A Blaenau Gwent council spokesman said that they wouldn't comment on the content or source of any correspondence between the former council leader and representatives of the Heads of the Valleys Development Company Ltd, which is aiming to make the project a reality.

She said: "The council remains supportive of the Circuit of Wales project and we continue to work closely with the Welsh Government in its assessment of any revised proposals presented by the developer.”

The Circuit of Wales, which is expected to create 6,000 jobs, has twice been blocked by the Welsh Government.

Earlier this month it was revealed that the Wales Audit Office has launched an investigation into how the Welsh Government cash was used.

Lord Kinnock and Hedley McCarthy were both contacted for comment.