McCausland 'Won't Resign' Over Housing Claims

Nelson McCausland has told the BBC he will not resign from his post as Housing Minister, despite allegations of political interference in the running of the NI Housing Executive (NIHE).

A Stormont Committee is to investigate allegations that Mr McCausland's adviser Stephen Brimstone had pressurised DUP councillor and NIHE board member Jenny Palmer to change her vote at a meeting.

The meeting was held in July 2011 over the Housing Executive's contract with the Red Sky maintenance company.

The £8m-a-year contract had been cancelled earlier in the year following allegations the firm had been overcharged for its work on NIHE properties.

A vote was taken on Mr McCausland's decision to reappoint Red Sky.

Ms Palmer told the BBC she had intended to vote against the move, but was told by Mr Brimstone that "the party comes first".

The Housing Minister denies all allegations of political interference and the DUP says it will pursue legal action against the BBC for making what it claims are false allegations.

Speaking on the BBC's The View programme, Mr Mccausland said: "It's an absolutely bizarre suggestion. I have no intention of stepping aside from doing the job that I am doing, which is delivering a good outcome for tenants of the Housing Executive."

A Department for Social Development inquiry is to be headed by Sinn Féin's Alex Maskey.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "Given the nature of the allegations raised by the Spotlight programme a number of things now need to happen.

"Firstly there needs to be a fresh and thorough PSNI investigation into the allegations made by those individuals on the programme.

"Within the political structure the statutory inquiry by the DSD Committee under Alex Maskey needs to be given full support in its work.

"Also, Douglas Bain, the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner needs to investigate relevant matters raised in the programme, as a matter of urgency.

"These allegations have the potential to undermine public confidence in the political institutions."

(IT/CD)