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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| NI21 row: Basil McCrea denies allegations | NI21 row: Basil McCrea denies allegations |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The leader of NI21, Basil McCrea, has confirmed that he is facing claims of inappropriate sexual activity. | |
| Disagreement arose after the party re-designated as 'other' rather then 'unionist'. | Disagreement arose after the party re-designated as 'other' rather then 'unionist'. |
| Party deputy leader John McAllister alleged that decision was an attempt to derail an investigation into the claims which he had instigated. | Party deputy leader John McAllister alleged that decision was an attempt to derail an investigation into the claims which he had instigated. |
| Mr McCrea told BBC Radio's Good Morning Ulster on Friday that he had done nothing wrong. | Mr McCrea told BBC Radio's Good Morning Ulster on Friday that he had done nothing wrong. |
| He said the allegations were only brought to his attention on Thursday. | He said the allegations were only brought to his attention on Thursday. |
| Public rift | Public rift |
| "At first reading of them, I can say that I deny them, so on that basis I'm not going any further on the description," he said. | "At first reading of them, I can say that I deny them, so on that basis I'm not going any further on the description," he said. |
| "That's obviously an issue that I'm going to have to deal with and one of the things I'm looking at is how best to deal with the issues." | "That's obviously an issue that I'm going to have to deal with and one of the things I'm looking at is how best to deal with the issues." |
| Mr McCallister said a public rift within the party emerged because he instigated an external investigation into rumours relating to Mr McCrea. | Mr McCallister said a public rift within the party emerged because he instigated an external investigation into rumours relating to Mr McCrea. |
| He apologised to NI21's supporters for the current turmoil. | He apologised to NI21's supporters for the current turmoil. |
| Meanwhile, NI21's European candidate Tina McKenzie has resigned from the party's executive with immediate effect. | Meanwhile, NI21's European candidate Tina McKenzie has resigned from the party's executive with immediate effect. |
| She said on twitter: "So sad that fresh politics has been let down by old politicians. I have resigned from the executive but still fully support NI21. | She said on twitter: "So sad that fresh politics has been let down by old politicians. I have resigned from the executive but still fully support NI21. |
| "If elected I will stand but will not work for people who play dirty tricks and dirty politics." | "If elected I will stand but will not work for people who play dirty tricks and dirty politics." |
| NI21 was set up by MLAs Basil McCrea and John McCallister, after they quit the Ulster Unionist Party in 2013. | NI21 was set up by MLAs Basil McCrea and John McCallister, after they quit the Ulster Unionist Party in 2013. |
| On Wednesday, Mr McCallister described the party's decision to drop its unionist designation as "crazy" and "dysfunctional". | On Wednesday, Mr McCallister described the party's decision to drop its unionist designation as "crazy" and "dysfunctional". |
| He alleged the move two days before the election was aimed at trying to force him to quit his post so that he could no longer deal with the external investigation. | He alleged the move two days before the election was aimed at trying to force him to quit his post so that he could no longer deal with the external investigation. |
| Mr McCrea has said he would respond if anyone brought any complaints to his attention. | Mr McCrea has said he would respond if anyone brought any complaints to his attention. |