Councillors facing £10,000 fine

Councillors may have to pay a £10,000 fine

Seventeen nationalist and republican councillors are facing a £10,000 fine after the local government auditor accused them of wilful misconduct.

The auditor criticised the members of Newry and Mourne District Council in a provisional report for ignoring legal advice following allegations of bias.

The case followed a complaint by the victims campaigner, William Frazer.

Twelve Sinn Fein councillors and their five SDLP colleagues are expected to appeal the ruling.

Mr Frazer brought the complaint after his FAIR group was blocked from using the council's community centre in Newtownhamilton.

He took the council to court alleging discrimination.

The court ruled that the group should get the use of the centre and the council was left with a substantial legal bill.

Newry and Mourne Ulster Unionist councillor Danny Kennedy referred the matter to the local auditor because he said the councillors should pick up the cost because they had ignored the legal advice.

Mr Kennedy welcomed the auditor's recommendation that the councillors pay the bill, but said he wanted them to be barred from office.

Sinn Fein and the SDLP have denied wilful misconduct and have until the end of the month to appeal the ruling.