Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-
“When in even a health crisis dysfunctionalism rules, then the unworkability of mandatory coalition is undeniable.
“The revelations already from the Covid Inquiry confirm the irredeemable flaws I have long pointed out in mandatory coalition. From petty rivalry, the seeking of party advantage and avoidance of blame and ineptitude, it is all there even to the point of fiddling the minutes and destroying the What’s App trail. What a bunch!
“How revealing that even in the midst of the crisis some were jockeying to push the Health minister to the side!
“One familiar hobby horse they couldn’t ride was lack of money from the Exchequer, because they were awash with more Covid money than they could spend!
“The issue of destroying records is a most serious matter, particularly after what was exposed in the RHI scandal. Yet, no lessons were learned.
“When all the Inquiry evidence is gathered it seems to me there should be a police investigation into whether some are guilty of the common law criminal offence of misconduct in public office.
“Wilful misconduct by public officials in the destruction of records to such a degree as to amount to abuse of the public’s trust are the ingredients of this criminal offence. The high office and political protection which repelled justice after the extravaganza of rule breaking at the Storey funeral must not again trump holding to account this who in the face of warnings destroyed evidence.”