THE owners of Brighton's Palace Pier were accused of "empty threats" at the final day of a public inquiry into the future of three showpiece rides.
The Noble Organisation claims that jobs will be hit and a multi-million pound investment programme scuppered if the roller coaster and Ferris wheel rides are removed.
But John Hobson, a barrister called by Brighton and Hove Council, dismissed the claims as "nothing more than empty threats".
He added: "Perhaps the boldest of the unsupported claims is that the loss of these rides will have a critical impact upon the role of Brighton as a resort and as a conference destination.
"There can be absolutely no justification for such a claim."
The outcome of the inquiry is expected from Whitehall later this year.
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