'No confidence in probe into paramilitary payments' - Close

12.00.00am GMT Wed 29th Jan 2003

Alliance Finance Spokesman Seamus Close MLA has said he would have no confidence in a Government investigation into payments to paramilitaries posing as 'community workers'

Mr Close was speaking after NIO Minister Des Browne said this morning that such payments - such as those to jailed UFF commander Johnny Adair - would be investigated by the Department of Social Development.

Mr Close said: "I would have no confidence in the Department investigating how its funding ended up in the pockets of paramilitaries."

"As a member of the Public Accounts Committee, I have a catalogue of examples of Departments' self-investigatory roles and how they have at times disregarded the proper procedures."

"I would call on the Northern Ireland Audit Office to conduct any investigation instead."

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