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Assembly recalled to discuss Spotlight allegations Northern Ireland Assembly recall after BBC Spotlight allegations
(about 1 hour later)
A special sitting of the assembly will be held later to allow MLAs to discuss allegations made in a BBC NI Spotlight programme. A special sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly will be held later to allow MLAs to discuss allegations made in a BBC NI Spotlight programme.
The programme, broadcast last Wednesday, alleged there had been political interference in the running of the NI Housing Executive. The programme, broadcast last week, alleged there had been political interference in the running of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland denies the allegations.Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland denies the allegations.
The Social Development Committee at Stormont has agreed to set up an inquiry.The Social Development Committee at Stormont has agreed to set up an inquiry.
The assembly was recalled after a number of parties said they wanted to discuss the issue.The assembly was recalled after a number of parties said they wanted to discuss the issue.
The programme contained an interview with Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) councillor and Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) board member, Jenny Palmer, who said she was put under pressure by her party to change her vote at a Housing Executive board meeting.
Mr McCausland, who is also a member of the DUP, denied that his special adviser, Stephen Brimstone, had telephoned Ms Palmer at his request.
He said it was likely no-one would ever get to the bottom of the matter.
Assembly First Minister Peter Robinson said the best way ahead was to allow the Social Development Committee to carry out an investigation that he hoped would be "more balanced than the Spotlight report".
The DUP leader said he would be prepared to talk to Ms Palmer and Mr Brimstone if they wanted to speak to him.
The DUP has introduced a blocking mechanism called a petition of concern which means any move to censure Mr McCausland is doomed to failure.The DUP has introduced a blocking mechanism called a petition of concern which means any move to censure Mr McCausland is doomed to failure.
That move has been condemned by other parties in the assembly.That move has been condemned by other parties in the assembly.
Mr McCausland has said he has no intention of standing down and would not step aside as social development minister during the inquiry.Mr McCausland has said he has no intention of standing down and would not step aside as social development minister during the inquiry.
Mr McCausland denies he had ever sought to influence the awarding of contracts. He denies he had ever sought to influence the awarding of contracts.
He told the BBC's The View on Thursday, that he had been vindicated "time and time again". The minister told the BBC's The View on Thursday that he had been vindicated "time and time again".
The programme contained an interview with DUP councillor and Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) board member, Jenny Palmer, who said she was put under pressure by her party to change her vote at a Housing Executive board meeting.
Mr McCausland denied that his special adviser, Stephen Brimstone, had telephoned Ms Palmer at his request.
He said it was likely no-one would ever get to the bottom of the matter.
First Minister Peter Robinson said the best way ahead was to allow the social development committee to carry out an investigation that he hoped would be "more balanced than the Spotlight report".
The DUP leader said he would be prepared to talk to Ms Palmer and Mr Brimstone if they wanted to speak to him.