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Stephen Brimstone: DSD deadline passes without report Stephen Brimstone: Minister hands over report
(about 2 hours later)
The social development minister has failed to hand over an internal civil service report on the conduct of a special adviser. Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey has now handed over an internal civil service report on the conduct of a special adviser, the BBC understands.
Meryvn Storey was asked for the report by the social development committee who are investigating allegations of political interference in the Housing Executive. Mr Storey was asked for the report by the social development committee, which is investigating allegations of political interference in the Housing Executive.
The report covers the behaviour of ministerial adviser Stephen Brimstone.The report covers the behaviour of ministerial adviser Stephen Brimstone.
Mr Storey was asked to make the report available by 17:00 GMT on Wednesday.Mr Storey was asked to make the report available by 17:00 GMT on Wednesday.
However, it was not submitted. While it was not submitted by the deadline, it is believed the report has now been sent to the committee.
It is understood some of the content has been redacted.
Allegations were made in a 2013 BBC Spotlight programme that Mr Brimstone pressured DUP councillor Jenny Palmer to change her vote in a Housing Executive board meeting.Allegations were made in a 2013 BBC Spotlight programme that Mr Brimstone pressured DUP councillor Jenny Palmer to change her vote in a Housing Executive board meeting.
A DSD committee spokesperson said: "The committee did not receive the requested information from the minister by the agreed deadline. Members will discuss the issue at their next meeting on Thursday 19 February, consider all available options and agree how they wish to proceed on the matter." At a previous session, the Department for Social Development (DSD) committee chair Alex Maskey said that unless the report was produced: "We're for the courts."
The TUV MLA Jim Allister who sits on the committee said the minister had defied the wishes of the committee and he told the BBC there "must be consequences".
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson said: "It is disappointing that Mervyn Storey has chosen to show such blatant disregard for the authority of the assembly."
At a previous session, the Department of Social Development (DSD) committee chair Alex Maskey said that unless the report was produced: "We're for the courts."
The committee met in closed session last week to consider correspondence from Mr Storey. They agreed to extend the deadline for the Minister until 17:00 GMT on Wednesday, 18 February.The committee met in closed session last week to consider correspondence from Mr Storey. They agreed to extend the deadline for the Minister until 17:00 GMT on Wednesday, 18 February.
Asked about the report and the deadline, a spokeswoman for the DSD said they had "no comment to make ". The committee is due to hold its next meeting on Thursday morning.