23/08/2016

Stormont To Meet Over Nama Coaching Claims

A special meeting of Stormont's finance committee to discuss claims that a member of Sinn Féin 'coached' loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson before he gave evidence at a Nama inquiry is to take place later today.

The committee will meet Daithí McKay, who was the committee's former chairman. Following last week's allegations, Mr McKay has since resigned as a Sinn Féin MLA, but other political parties said that further action needs to be taken.

The DUP is understood to have formally complained to the police, as well as to the assembly's Standards Commissioner Douglas Bain about the allegations.

Emma Little-Pengelly, from the DUP, is now chair of the finance committee. Speaking to BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme she has said the claims need to be fully investigated.

She said: "There will need to be a series of investigations, there have been calls for independent investigations and that needs to happen, and I do think all the parties involved in this must co-operate. This is about building confidence with people and getting to the truth of the matter."

Nama was established to deal with toxic loans after the 2008 property crash. In 2014, it sold its NI loans portfolio to a US investment firm for £1.2bn. Last year, the Stormont inquiry was set up after an allegation was made in the Dáil that a politician or political party in NI stood to profit from the loan sale.

(JP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

15 November 2024
Belfast City Council Approves Range Of Transformative Projects
Belfast City Council's Planning Committee has given the green light to a series of projects aimed at transforming the city's landscape. One significant development is the redevelopment of the former police station at 21 Queen Street into a 74-bedroom hotel.
25 May 2006
NI political parties invited to join 'devolution' committee
The Northern ireland Secretary of State, Peter Hain, has today invited the main political parties to sit on an Assembly Committee in a bid to restore devolution. It is understood that each of the main parties, the DUP, Sinn Fein, UUP and SDLP, will be given three places on the panel, with the Alliance party being given two.
13 June 2013
NI21 Accuses Rivals Of 'Ganging Up'
Basil McCrea has accused his political rivals of "ganging up" on his new party, NI21, over its Assembly speaking rights. The comments came as the Stormont business committee voted to change the speaking arrangements in parliament.
12 June 2006
Hain appoints Committee chairs
The Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Peter Hain, has issued a direction to the Presiding Officer of the Assembly calling a meeting of the Preparation for Government Committee later today.
25 August 2010
NAMA Applauded At Stormont
There has been high-level support expressed for the work of the Irish Republic's National Asset Management Agency, (NAMA) and its impact on NI finances.