“DSD Permanent Secretary did refer the matter to the Head of the Civil Service..”

In today’s Belfast Telegraph, David Gordon has a follow-up to his previous report about Ian Paisley Jnr’s lobbying from his Junior Ministerial office. The new report confirms the earlier details and adds – “The matter was referred to the Head of the Civil Service and was dealt with by him at the time.”

A spokesperson for DSD has now stated: “The Department can confirm, in relation to the interactions between Mr Barrington and Mr Paisley Junior over the Ballee land sale, that Mr Paisley Junior did ring Mr Barrington, that Mr Barrington did raise the matter with the DSD Permanent Secretary and that the DSD Permanent Secretary did refer the matter to the Head of the Civil Service.”

A spokesperson for Sir Nigel Hamilton said: “The matter was referred to the Head of the Civil Service and was dealt with by him at the time.”

It is understood Mr Barrington received no further contacts from Mr Paisley jnr’s Ministerial office.

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