“To investigate any impropriety on the part of the officer and elected representatives”

The BBC reports details of the external inquiry to be held by Castlereagh Borough Council into the awarding of the lease for the Lock Keepers Inn to Kirk McCambley, and Iris Robinson’s involvement in that process. The report also states

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Mrs Robinson has resigned as an MP, MLA and councillor. The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly told the BBC that her decision would be formally announced to MLAs next Monday. Earlier on Tuesday, the Treasury announced that Mrs Robinson had formally announced her resignation as MP for Strangford. Her resignation from the council was announced by its acting chief executive. Mrs Robinson has applied for the Chiltern Hundreds, the system used by MPs who wish to resign.

More on Chiltern Hundreds here And also of interest is this news from the NI Audit Office [pdf file]

The local government auditor for Castlereagh Borough Council will issue a public interest report on matters covered by the Council’s investigation and the investigation itself. This report may also indicate wider lessons for local government.
The public interest report will be issued as soon as possible, dependent on progress of the Council’s investigation. Under local government legislation this report will be copied to the Department of Environment. The report and its findings must be considered by the Council within one month of its receipt.

From the BBC report

INQUIRY TERMS OF REFERENCE

To identify if the council incurred any financial loss as a result of the award of the lease at the Lock-Keeper’s Inn

To investigate any impropriety on the part of the officer and elected representatives in the award of the lease at the Lock-Keeper’s Inn

To investigate whether officers and elected representatives complied with the requirements of all relevant local government legislation and guidance in the awarding of the above-mentioned lease

To make any recommendations to the Council, where necessary, arising from the findings of the investigation on how its processes and governance arrangements could be improved upon

Revise these terms, where necessary, arising from the findings of the investigation

Pete Baker