Stormont inquiry put on hold

An inquiry by a Stormont Committee into allegations made by Lisburn Councillor Jenny Palmer on a BBC Spotlight programme last year was temporarily adjourned last week following heated exchanges.

The inquiry was expected to examine allegations that there was political interference in the running of the Housing Executive.

Sinn Fein’s Alex Maskey took the decision to halt proceedings after exchanges with DUP MLAs.

The DUP’s Sammy Wilson claimed Mr Maskey was not chairing the inquiry “very well”.

He claimed some of the questioning of the DSD minister was beyond the inquiry’s terms of reference.

DUP MLA Trevor Clarke also accused Mr Maskey of being biased.

Mr Maskey said the committee was a “professional committee” and questioning would be “done properly”.