Staff suspensions follow review

Invest Northern Ireland is an investment body

Two staff members at Invest Northern Ireland have been suspended following a report into 28 organisations which deliver services to the agency.

A spokesman for the investment body said the report revealed areas of concern, around administrative control and potential conflicts of interest.

It said the suspensions were purely a precautionary measure and did not imply any improper action by staff.

The police are considering the report. The NIO has also been informed.

The initial investigation by Invest Northern Ireland looked at the activities of 28 organisations which are contracted to carry out various business initiatives on behalf of Invest Northern Ireland.

It was mostly concerned with contracts going back a number of years, before the Industrial Development Board and Ledu were merged to form Invest Northern Ireland.

It was prompted by concerns expressed by the public spending watchdog, the Northern Ireland Audit Office.

The Audit Office said it was not happy that there was an adequate system of controls over the organisations and how they were spending the money.

Invest Northern Ireland has confirmed that the report is being considered by the police.

Two staff members were suspended on Friday.

Invest Northern Ireland is the province's new business development organisation.