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Northern Ireland Housing Executive motion blocked Northern Ireland Housing Executive motion blocked
(35 minutes later)
A Northern Ireland Assembly motion expressing concern over allegations of political interference in the running of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has been blocked. A motion calling for the Northern Ireland Assembly to investigate whether housing minister Nelson McCausland misled the assembly has been blocked.
A majority of members, 54 to 32, voted for it but a DUP petition of concern meant it was effectively defeated.A majority of members, 54 to 32, voted for it but a DUP petition of concern meant it was effectively defeated.
A petition of concern requires a cross-community vote.A petition of concern requires a cross-community vote.
The assembly had been recalled to vote on allegations raised in a BBC NI Spotlight programme. The assembly had been recalled to debate allegations of political inference in the running of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
The allegations were raised in a BBC NI Spotlight programme last week.
The programme contained an interview with DUP councillor and Northern Ireland Housing Executive board member, Jenny Palmer, in which she said she was put under pressure by her party to change her vote at a Housing Executive board meeting.The programme contained an interview with DUP councillor and Northern Ireland Housing Executive board member, Jenny Palmer, in which she said she was put under pressure by her party to change her vote at a Housing Executive board meeting.
She said the demand was made in a phone call from Stephen Brimstone, special adviser to Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland, at his request. She said the demand was made in a phone call from Stephen Brimstone, special adviser to Mr McCausland, at his request.
Mr McCausland denied the allegation and said that he always sought to carry out his role with "integrity and probity".Mr McCausland denied the allegation and said that he always sought to carry out his role with "integrity and probity".
He denied using his role to influence decisions over the awarding of contracts.He denied using his role to influence decisions over the awarding of contracts.
Opening the debate, Sinn Fein MLA, Catriona Ruane asked the DUP if double glazing contractor, Trevor Turkington or Red Sky were DUP party donors,Opening the debate, Sinn Fein MLA, Catriona Ruane asked the DUP if double glazing contractor, Trevor Turkington or Red Sky were DUP party donors,
She said that there was no place for "a brown envelope culture".She said that there was no place for "a brown envelope culture".
Ms Ruane, who moved the motion, called for Mr McCausland to step down while an investigation is carried out.Ms Ruane, who moved the motion, called for Mr McCausland to step down while an investigation is carried out.
DUP MLA, east Londonderry MLA, Gregory Campbell, described the BBC Spotlight investigation as "absolutely scandalous."DUP MLA, east Londonderry MLA, Gregory Campbell, described the BBC Spotlight investigation as "absolutely scandalous."
DUP MLA for east Belfast, Robin Newton, told the assembly: "Mr Norman Hayes (Red Sky) is not a member of the DUP, has never contributed to the Democratic Unionist party, has never been a fundraiser for the Democratic Unionist Party."DUP MLA for east Belfast, Robin Newton, told the assembly: "Mr Norman Hayes (Red Sky) is not a member of the DUP, has never contributed to the Democratic Unionist party, has never been a fundraiser for the Democratic Unionist Party."
TUV leader Jim Allister said the social development minister misled the assembly and the relevant committee.TUV leader Jim Allister said the social development minister misled the assembly and the relevant committee.
Mr Allister added: "Have you no shame that you would use your position in office to promote a commercial interest" with someone who he alleged was "a political buddy."Mr Allister added: "Have you no shame that you would use your position in office to promote a commercial interest" with someone who he alleged was "a political buddy."
DUP leader Peter Robinson repeatedly asked Mr Allister if he wanted to declare a conflict of interest.DUP leader Peter Robinson repeatedly asked Mr Allister if he wanted to declare a conflict of interest.
He then directly asked whether he had been "begging" for money from contractors. Mr Allister denied the allegation.He then directly asked whether he had been "begging" for money from contractors. Mr Allister denied the allegation.
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.
During the debate it was revealed that an MP has called for a public inquiry into the allegations.During the debate it was revealed that an MP has called for a public inquiry into the allegations.
Naomi Long, Alliance MP for East Belfast, has written to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, one of her party colleagues told the assembly.Naomi Long, Alliance MP for East Belfast, has written to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, one of her party colleagues told the assembly.
The petition of concern introduced by the DUP was condemned by other parties.The petition of concern introduced by the DUP was condemned by other parties.