Alliance Finance Spokesman Seamus Close MLA has said he would have no confidence in a Government investigation into payments to paramilitaries posing as ‘community workers’
Mr Close was speaking after NIO Minister Des Browne said this morning that such payments – such as those to jailed UFF commander Johnny Adair – would be investigated by the Department of Social Development.
Mr Close said: “I would have no confidence in the Department investigating how its funding ended up in the pockets of paramilitaries.”
“As a member of the Public Accounts Committee, I have a catalogue of examples of Departments’ self-investigatory roles and how they have at times disregarded the proper procedures.”
“I would call on the Northern Ireland Audit Office to conduct any investigation instead.”
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