NI Conservatives’ Environment and Regional Development spokesman, Bill Manwaring, says an industrial tribunal decision, which found that the Department of Regional Development discriminated against an applicant for the position of chairman of NI Water, highlights the failure of existing parties to deliver acceptable government to Northern Ireland.
The tribunal found that the then minister, Conor Murphy, discriminated against Alan Lennon, a Protestant. The tribunal also found that Mr Murphy consulted two Sinn Fein colleagues who were ministers at the time, Michelle Gildernew and Caitriona Ruane over the appointment of Sean Hogan who was known to them and their party.
Bill Manwaring said: "This tribunal decision shows just how much those sitting around the Executive table are rooted in the politics of sectarianism and bigotry”.
"There must be an investigation into whether Murphy broke the Ministerial Code of Conduct and into the actions of his two Sinn Fein colleagues, whom he consulted.”
“This is a particularly blatant example of the contempt continually shown by executive ministers to both the people of Northern Ireland and to the very principles of democratic accountability”.