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DUP deny BBC Spotlight allegations Nelson McCausland answers BBC Spotlight allegations
(35 minutes later)
The DUP's Nelson McCausland is expected to appear before a Stormont committee, after a number of serious allegations made in a BBC Spotlight programme. The Social Development Committee at Stormont has agreed to set up an inquiry into allegations broadcast in a BBC Spotlight programme.
The programme alleged there had been political interference in the running of the Housing Executive.The programme alleged there had been political interference in the running of the Housing Executive.
A number of parties said they want the assembly recalled to discuss the issue. Committee chairperson, Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey, said the issues raised by Spotlight constituted a "major public issue".
In a statement, the DUP said it intends to take legal action against the BBC, over what it claims were inaccuracies and defamatory statements. Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland is attending the committee.
Spotlight broadcast an interview with DUP councillor and Housing Executive board member, Jenny Palmer, who said she was put under pressure by her party to change her vote at a Housing Executive board meeting. Mr Maskey said the terms of the inquiry would have to be decided and would be subject to legal advice.
The meeting was called to discuss the future of one the Housing Executive's contractors, the Red Sky maintenance company. The DUP'S Gregory Campbell asked if those who produced and presented the BBC programme would appear and give evidence.
Ms Palmer told the programme that Mr McCausland's special adviser, Stephen Brimstone, phoned her ahead of the meeting and asked her to vote against the board's decision to end Red Sky's contract. Following the programme, which was broadcast on Wednesday evening, a number of parties said they wanted the assembly recalled to discuss the issue.
Mr Brimstone told Spotlight he did not accept the accuracy of the account of events the programme had put to him. In a statement, the DUP said it intended taking legal action against the BBC, over what it claims were inaccuracies and defamatory statements.
Mr McCausland, who is Stormont's Social Development Minister, is expected to appear before the assembly's social development committee later on Thursday. Spotlight broadcast an interview with DUP councillor and Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) board member, Jenny Palmer, who said she was put under pressure by her party to change her vote at a Housing Executive board meeting.
The Sinn Fein chair of the committee, Alex Maskey, said the claims made in the Spotlight programme are potentially the most serious political scandal since the assembly came into operation in 1998. The meeting was called in July 2011, to discuss the Housing Executive's contract with the Red Sky maintenance company.
The £8m-a-year contract had been terminated four months earlier, amid allegations that the east Belfast firm had overcharged for carrying out work on NIHE properties.
The housing board was to vote on a request from Mr McCausland to extend the NIHE contract.
Ms Palmer told Spotlight that Mr McCausland's political special adviser, Stephen Brimstone, phoned her ahead of the meeting and asked her to vote against the board's decision to refuse Mr McCausland's request.
She said she was "shocked" and told Mr Brimstone that she did not think she could carry out what he was asking her to do, because of her concerns over Red Sky's performance.
Ms Palmer told the programme: "He (Mr Brimstone) said 'the party comes first, you do what you're told', otherwise there's no point in me being on the board, if I wasn't prepared to do what they asked me to do."
In response to her allegations, Mr Brimstone told Spotlight he did not accept the accuracy of the account of events the programme had put to him.
Red Sky, which employed 450 people, was later placed in administration.
Mr Maskey, said the claims made in the Spotlight programme were potentially the most serious political scandal since the assembly came into operation in 1998.
Mr McCausland and his party deny any wrongdoing but Mr Maskey said the allegations will not simply go away and people in the assembly and the wider community will demand answers.Mr McCausland and his party deny any wrongdoing but Mr Maskey said the allegations will not simply go away and people in the assembly and the wider community will demand answers.
A number of other parties, including the UUP, SDLP and Alliance, have said they will seek the recall of the assembly to discuss the issues raised in the programme.A number of other parties, including the UUP, SDLP and Alliance, have said they will seek the recall of the assembly to discuss the issues raised in the programme.
SDLP Environment Minister Alex Atwood said the assembly needs answers to both alleged corruption inside the Housing Executive and the conduct of the DUP.SDLP Environment Minister Alex Atwood said the assembly needs answers to both alleged corruption inside the Housing Executive and the conduct of the DUP.
Mr Attwood said: "There have been very serious allegations made last night (Wednesday) of a criminal nature and clearly the PSNI now must step in and have those matters exhaustively investigated.Mr Attwood said: "There have been very serious allegations made last night (Wednesday) of a criminal nature and clearly the PSNI now must step in and have those matters exhaustively investigated.
"Secondly, there have been serious allegations about the conduct of a political party and more than one of their ministers, and that clearly is a matter of concern to the assembly and should be investigated," he added."Secondly, there have been serious allegations about the conduct of a political party and more than one of their ministers, and that clearly is a matter of concern to the assembly and should be investigated," he added.
In its statement, the DUP said it makes no apology for fighting to save the jobs of those they believe were singled out and unfairly treated by the Housing Executive at the time.In its statement, the DUP said it makes no apology for fighting to save the jobs of those they believe were singled out and unfairly treated by the Housing Executive at the time.