Wilson meeting refusal 'bizarre'

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Sinn Fein has accused the DUP's Sammy Wilson of abusing his position as a Stormont minister to carry out constituency work.

Mr Wilson said he approached Sinn Fein Education Minister Caitriona Ruane to request a meeting with her department officials about building work at a school in his East Antrim constituency.

He said it was "bizarre" that she felt the meeting required her clearance.

However, Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd said protocol had not been followed.

Ministerial officials such as a private secretary should not and cannot be used by ministers to arrange constituency matters for them John O'Dowd

Mr O'Dowd, a member of the Stormont education committee, said it was unacceptable that Mr Wilson used his private secretary in the Department of Environment to arrange the meeting.

"The minister of education asked for clarity to find out whether he was seeking the meeting as a councillor, as an MLA or as a minister," he said.

"Ministerial officials such as a private secretary should not and cannot be used by ministers to arrange constituency matters for them."

Mr Wilson said he accepted it was a constituency issue, adding, "I don't think it really matters whether it was in a constituency or ministerial capacity".

He said members of Belfast High School's board of governors were on their way to Stormont on Tuesday when he was told the meeting arranged two weeks ago had been cancelled.

I explained to her the delegation was on the way, surely she could give me permission now. She told me to send it in writing and she would answer in due course Sammy Wilson

East Antrim assembly members Ken Robinson of the UUP and Sean Neeson of the Alliance Party also expected to meet Department of Education officials.

"We had lined up the meeting with one of the officials from the Department of Education, only to be told that the official was not allowed to meet us because it had not been approved by the minister.

"I thought this was rather bizarre so I went directly to the minister, asked her if the story was correct. She said she would need a request in writing.

"I explained to her the delegation was on the way, surely she could give me permission now. She told me to send it in writing and she would answer in due course."

In a statement, the Department of Education said: "A point of order was raised in the Assembly this evening regarding a request from the Private Office of the Environment Minister to meet with officials from the Department of Education.

"As this was on a constituency matter and not a ministerial matter we are checking protocols to determine if proper procedures were followed, as Departmental Private Offices should have no role in constituency matters."