Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“If, as the Department of Finance says, Mr McHugh MLA was the ratepayer recipient, and therefore beneficiary, of the £10,000 Covid support payment, then, the return of the money was his personal responsibility likewise the inordinate delay in the return of the money. Moreover, as the ratepayer he had the authority and responsibility to pay it back. So, why did that not happen and to what use was the money put in the meantime?
“If Mr McHugh, though the ratepayer, does not control the funds paid to him in that capacity, then, that raises a whole raft of questions as to who controls the MLA? Further, were the rates for this office being claimed back by Mr McHugh under Assembly allowances?
“As well as it being abundantly clear that Sinn Fein only paid back the money once they were flushed out by the Nolan Show, it is now obvious that Sinn Fein has been economical with the truth in its statements. They must have known Mr McHugh was the ratepayer – yet, their statement would have us believe otherwise.”