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Architect John McAslan dramatically walked out of the Smithfield public inquiry on its opening day after taking offence at a line of questioning.

he was being cross-examined about his practice hiring a former English Heritage (EH) director, Paddy Pugh, last year.

English Heritage has backed McAslan鈥檚 plans for the redevelopment.

At yesterday鈥檚 public inquiry David Cooper, solicitor for Save Britain鈥檚 Heritage, which was previously an ally of EH but is contesting the scheme, questioned McAslan about the timing of Pugh鈥檚 appointment.

McAslan said: 鈥淗ow is that relevant to the previous question?鈥�

Cooper said it might have meant McAslan knew what English Heritage considered an appropriate height for any development at the market.

But McAslan said: 鈥淚 really find that offensive, the way you have tried to connect these two incidents, which you obviously did, and the inspector has told you it鈥檚 not relevant.

鈥淚 really do take exception. I want it to be noted that I take offence at that.

鈥淥ne of the key things at our practice is the ethos and integrity of the way we work. The only thing that makes me very cross is where there are suggestions, as you have made, that there鈥檚 any sense of inappropriate behaviour.鈥�

Then he walked out explaining he was 鈥済oing to stop for a moment鈥�, leaving the inspector asking the developer鈥檚 QC, Christopher Katkowski: 鈥淐an you tell me what鈥檚 happening?鈥� McAslan returned around a minute later and received an apology from Cooper.

Katkowski said McAslan was 鈥渦pset鈥� by the questioning and had 鈥渢aken to heart鈥� a line in Cooper鈥檚 opening statement earlier the same day.

This said: 鈥淓nglish Heritage has a lot to account for at this inquiry and for their role in this scheme. They have completely changed their position, even though the fundamentals of the two schemes are the same鈥� Paddy Pugh, who was in charge of English Heritage London South East at the last inquiry, now works for John McAslan, the architect, and took part in a recent site visit. He is not giving evidence and one might well ask why. English Heritage鈥檚 position is completely inconsistent 鈥� the fundamentals are the same as at the previous inquiry.鈥�

The previous inquiry, in 2008, was into a scheme by KPF for a different developer which would have demolished the market. At that inquiry English Heritage and Save were allies, both giving evidence against the proposal which was ultimately thrown out by the secretary of state.

Then English Heritage鈥檚 barrister said EH鈥檚 London planning and conservation director had also been upset by the statement.

鈥淭hat irritated Dr [Nigel] Barker but if we are having it clarified that absolutely no inference was being made, that will defuse the situation,鈥� he said.

Cooper confirmed: 鈥淭here鈥檚 no challenge to Mr Pugh鈥檚 integrity or anyone鈥檚 integrity.鈥�

The inquiry is due to last eight days and finish at the end of next week.