The underworld of Special Advisors
27 May 2011
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-
“The fresh focus on ‘Special Advisors’ this week, following the outrageous appointment of an IRA murderer, makes it an opportune moment to remind the paying public of the several absurd factors which govern these political appointments.
“In correspondence back in 2007 I established the following:
* Though handpicked by the Minister, not on merit but on his/her whim, they nonetheless have the full status of Civil Servants but none of the constraints.
* Unlike Civil Servants they are not subject to any criminal record check or security vetting – hence the open door to convicted terrorists.
* They qualify for full Civil Service pension, but their salary is kept secret.
* They have unbridled access to all governmental papers.
* They can travel abroad on ‘official business’ at the public’s expense on first or business class tickets.
* They are not accountable to the Head of the Civil Service, or his discipline, as other civil servants are.
* They are unsackable and accountable to no one; only the Minister who appointed them can remove them.
* They are not recruited under or subject to the guidance governing the employment of every other civil servant, as set out here.
“Special Advisors are part of the absurd system of ministerial fiefdoms, with no accountability but unrivalled access to every confidence of government. The system which operates in Northern Ireland in relation to the appointment of Special Advisers appears to be radically different from that in other regions of the UK as is the number of Special Advisers appointed - Wales has 8, in Scotland there is a maximum of 12 but Northern Ireland has 19!
“I will be launching a fresh campaign, through Assembly Questions, to try and shine a searchlight on the underworld and role of Special Advisors, which the vested political interest of the DUP/Sinn Fein regime will do its utmost to frustrate.”
