This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-33376497
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Nama property sale: Call for investigation into Mick Wallace claims | Nama property sale: Call for investigation into Mick Wallace claims |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Politicians have called for an inquiry into a claim a law firm had £7m in an account, reportedly earmarked for a Northern Ireland politician. | Politicians have called for an inquiry into a claim a law firm had £7m in an account, reportedly earmarked for a Northern Ireland politician. |
The allegation, over a major property deal, was made in the Irish parliament by independent member Mick Wallace | The allegation, over a major property deal, was made in the Irish parliament by independent member Mick Wallace |
He said it was in connection with sale of the Northern Ireland property loan portfolio of the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) in 2014. | He said it was in connection with sale of the Northern Ireland property loan portfolio of the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) in 2014. |
The matter is to be raised in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Friday. | The matter is to be raised in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Friday. |
'Matter of urgency' | |
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said an "intensive investigation" should begin as soon as possible. | |
"This is a very serious statement by Mick Wallace, it needs to be very thoroughly investigated," the Sinn Féin MLA told BBC Radio Foyle. | |
He said Mr Wallace should speak to An Garda Síochána (Irish police) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) "as a matter of urgency so we can get to the bottom of the story". | |
"It may be baseless, it may not be. It absolutely needs to be investigated and I'm very keen for this to happen," Mr McGuinness added. | |
'Isle of Man account' | |
Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister said he will table a priority written question to the first and deputy first ministers on Friday. | |
He said it is "imperative that this matter is thoroughly investigated by all relevant authorities, including the PSNI". | |
"The PSNI needs to make its intentions clear," the TUV leader added. | |
The Nama portfolio was purchased by New York firm Cerberus Capital Management for £1.3bn. | The Nama portfolio was purchased by New York firm Cerberus Capital Management for £1.3bn. |
Mr Wallace named Belfast solicitors Tughans as having acted for Cerberus and that "a routine audit showed that £7m ended up in an Isle of Man bank account". | Mr Wallace named Belfast solicitors Tughans as having acted for Cerberus and that "a routine audit showed that £7m ended up in an Isle of Man bank account". |
According to the official transcript of parliamentary proceedings, he added: "It was reportedly earmarked for a Northern Ireland politician." | According to the official transcript of parliamentary proceedings, he added: "It was reportedly earmarked for a Northern Ireland politician." |
'Outlandish claims' | |
Tughans has denied Mr Wallace's allegation, while Cerberus said "no improper or illegal fees were paid by us, or on our behalf". | Tughans has denied Mr Wallace's allegation, while Cerberus said "no improper or illegal fees were paid by us, or on our behalf". |
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Sammy Wilson cautioned that Mr Wallace is "known for outlandish claims" but added that the allegation should be "properly investigated". | |
Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford who said: "Mick Wallace should be making a formal statement to the Garda, not just making an allegation under parliamentary privilege." | |
Although Tughans denied Mr Wallace's specific allegation, it did disclose details of a dispute at the highest level of the firm. | Although Tughans denied Mr Wallace's specific allegation, it did disclose details of a dispute at the highest level of the firm. |
'Left the practice' | |
In its statement, the law firm said: "We can confirm that a former partner diverted to an account, of which he was the sole beneficiary, professional fees due to the firm, without the knowledge of the partners. | In its statement, the law firm said: "We can confirm that a former partner diverted to an account, of which he was the sole beneficiary, professional fees due to the firm, without the knowledge of the partners. |
"We have since retrieved the money and he has left the practice. | "We have since retrieved the money and he has left the practice. |
"Tughans reported the circumstances of the departure of the former partner to the Law Society." | "Tughans reported the circumstances of the departure of the former partner to the Law Society." |
The man who left Tughans was Ian Coulter, the firm's then managing partner. | |
Mr Coulter is also a former chairman of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in Northern Ireland. | |
The BBC has attempted to contact Mr Coulter for comment. | |
A spokesperson for the Law Society of Northern Ireland said it "does not comment on whether or not there is any investigation ongoing in relation to any particular matter or firm". | A spokesperson for the Law Society of Northern Ireland said it "does not comment on whether or not there is any investigation ongoing in relation to any particular matter or firm". |