Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:

“The admission from the Finance Minister that Sinn Fein has not conformed with his updated guidance on Special Advisers, including NICS style vetting, confirms that, contrary to the claims of some at the time, Sinn Fein still believes that their Special Advisers can be above the law and practice applicable to other civil servants. I so warned at the time DFP introduced the new guidance.

“It was because I suspected that Sinn Fein had not conformed that I tabled the question below to the DFP Minister 5 weeks ago, which he has failed to answered. I suspect yesterday’s admission is to pre-empt the pending answer.

“In any event the latest revelation confirms the necessity for the Private Members Bill which I am bringing forward to ban anyone with a serious criminal conviction from the office of Special Adviser. The drafting of the Bill is at an advanced stage and I hope to introduce it on the floor of the Assembly in the coming month.”