Beggs questions Wilson’s despicable actions related to Red Sky

Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs re-iterated his accusation that Sammy Wilson MLA is acting in the narrow DUP interest rather than the public’s interest in terms of his actions related to the investigation into the BBC Spotlight Red Sky programme.

 

Roy Beggs said:

“The latest comments by Sammy Wilson MLA in relation to the Red  Sky enquiry, show that he puts his party first and the community second.  Throughout the investigation Sammy Wilson acted in the narrow interest of the DUP rather than the public’s interest in terms of his actions related to the investigation into the BBC Spotlight Red Sky programme.

 

“Scrutiny of Sammy Wilson MLA’s attempt to defend his Party’s former Minister and his special advisor inappropriate actions would conclude that they have not been in the public interest. I could only describe his actions as being despicable.

 

“Firstly he disrupted the Social Development Committee with his intervention and ‘thug’ remark just as the DUP Special Advisor was coming under pressure from questioning at the committee¹.  Secondly the Whistle Blower, Cllr Jenny Palmer who was questioned by Mr Wilson for some 35 minutes, claimed his action were “tantamount to bullying”.  Then as the committee was completing the report, a closed committee hearing was disrupted because of Mr Wilson’s abusive accusations.

 

“I believe that Mr Wilson is selfishly putting Party interests before all others.”

 

“The DUP have placed two of their double jobbing MP’s / MLA Sammy Wilson and Gregory Campbell on the Social Development Committee following the questionable actions of their Ministers and their Special Advisor Stephen Brimstone. Some believe this to be an attempt protect their party members who are under the spotlight.

 

Roy Beggs MLA said, “Anyone who listens to and examines Jenny Palmers evidence will conclude that as a whistle blower on inappropriate internal DUP actions, she has been consistent and credible in her evidence to the committee and the media.  The question then falls to Sammy Wilson, why has he given the Whistleblower such a hard time and indeed his party is in the process of disciplining her after collecting her vote at the Super Council AGM?  Whistle blowers should be supported, not abused!

 

“The public must now ask if they want an MP who acts supporting his Party’s interest against the public interest.  Secondly the public must decide if they want a double jobbing MP working in this manner at Stormont when an MP should actually be working for the public at Westminster?

 

“7^th May, One Day, One Vote, One Chance for change ”

Note to editor:

 

1         'Thug' insult row results in NI Assembly committee suspension http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29644519

2         Sammy Wilson asks if DUP colleague Jenny Palmer lied to committee http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29938674

3         Whistle Blower accuses Wilson of “tantamount to bullying” http://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/officialreport/minutesofevidencereport.aspx?AgendaId=11269&eveID=6762

      4         Jenny Palmer’s evidence to Social Development. http://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/officialreport/minutesofevidencereport.aspx?AgendaId=10102&eveID=6559