An official of the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland has been suspended from his job as deputy local government auditor pending an inquiry into missing church funds.
Last night a Department spokesman confirmed the suspension of the official, a former treasurer of Ballygowan Presbyterian church in Co Down. A spokesman said that the action has been taken as a result of allegations that £140,000 had gone missing. He added that the official had been involved in an external organisation in which it was alleged that there had been financial irregularities. "The Department will not be commenting further until that investigation is complete."
In a statement, Ballygowan Presbyterian church said that the matter was being investigated and that the person involved had promised to repay the money.