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Nama deal: PSNI launch investigation | Nama deal: PSNI launch investigation |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The police are to launch an investigation into the sale of Nama's property portfolio in Northern Ireland, and claims about money contained in an Isle of Man bank account. | The police are to launch an investigation into the sale of Nama's property portfolio in Northern Ireland, and claims about money contained in an Isle of Man bank account. |
The account, thought to have contained around £7m, was to be used to facilitate payments to people involved in arranging the sale. | The account, thought to have contained around £7m, was to be used to facilitate payments to people involved in arranging the sale. |
The bank account was controlled by Ian Coulter, a former partner in Belfast law firm Tughans. | The bank account was controlled by Ian Coulter, a former partner in Belfast law firm Tughans. |
He left the company in January. | He left the company in January. |
It was to be used for payments to so-called fixers and influencers behind the sale of Nama's Northern Ireland property portfolio. | It was to be used for payments to so-called fixers and influencers behind the sale of Nama's Northern Ireland property portfolio. |
Last week, Independent TD (Irish MP) Mick Wallace claimed in the Irish parliament that the money was earmarked for a politician in Northern Ireland. | Last week, Independent TD (Irish MP) Mick Wallace claimed in the Irish parliament that the money was earmarked for a politician in Northern Ireland. |
Tughans has said the money was "diverted" into the account without the knowledge of other senior staff. | Tughans has said the money was "diverted" into the account without the knowledge of other senior staff. |
It said the payment was retrieved and Mr Coulter left the company at the start of the year. | It said the payment was retrieved and Mr Coulter left the company at the start of the year. |
In a statement on Wednesday, the PSNI said it will launch a criminal inquiry into concerns raised over the Nama sale and the claims made by Mr Wallace. | In a statement on Wednesday, the PSNI said it will launch a criminal inquiry into concerns raised over the Nama sale and the claims made by Mr Wallace. |
Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr said the PSNI believed there was sufficient concern in relation to potential criminal activity surrounding the property deal to instigate an investigation. | Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr said the PSNI believed there was sufficient concern in relation to potential criminal activity surrounding the property deal to instigate an investigation. |
He said the police were engaging with a number of other national and international law enforcement partners to consider how best to take it forward. | He said the police were engaging with a number of other national and international law enforcement partners to consider how best to take it forward. |
It is understood those other law enforcement organisations include the National Crime Agency - referred to as the British FBI. | It is understood those other law enforcement organisations include the National Crime Agency - referred to as the British FBI. |
In a statement on Wednesday, a DUP spokesperson said: "This is a welcome announcement and the appropriate step to deal with the serious allegations which have been made. | In a statement on Wednesday, a DUP spokesperson said: "This is a welcome announcement and the appropriate step to deal with the serious allegations which have been made. |
"Indeed, the First Minister Peter Robinson called for such action by the authorities last week noting that accusations of criminal behaviour tarnish politics and should be fully investigated." | "Indeed, the First Minister Peter Robinson called for such action by the authorities last week noting that accusations of criminal behaviour tarnish politics and should be fully investigated." |
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness said it may be necessary to have a full judicial inquiry into the Nama sale. | |
The Law Society, which is responsible for regulating the activities of solicitors in Northern Ireland, has been investigating the circumstances of Mr Coulter's departure from Tughans since January. | |
On Tuesday, it said it will co-operate fully with any police investigation. |