POLICING BOARD chairman Barry Gilligan has postponed his return from sick leave following searches by the PSNI at the board’s head office and at his home.
The PSNI is investigating the role of the Housing Executive, the North’s social housing body, in the development of a site at Nelson Street in Belfast which is owned by Big Picture Developments.
Mr Gilligan is a director of that company. He has been on leave following successful coronary surgery and had been due to return later this month. However, in a statement yesterday, Mr Gilligan said he felt he “should not return at this time”.
“As with every individual in our community, it is my responsibility to assist the police in whatever way possible in the conduct of their inquiries,” he said.
“To that end, I will voluntarily meet the PSNI in the coming days at a mutually convenient time.”
Mr Gilligan was at policing board headquarters yesterday for pre-arranged meetings with board members. He said he hoped to return as chairman early next month – later than first planned.
However, some board members expressed concerns at developments of the past two days. DUP board member Jimmy Spratt said he felt Mr Gilligan should voluntarily stand aside as chairman.
“I don’t want to see anybody being removed, but there does need to be some form of voluntary admission [to] allow those of us on the board to continue with the work that we have to do. If it was a police officer that was being investigated, that’s what would happen.” Ulster Unionist Basil McCrea said the investigation was a matter of public interest. He said he believed the board should meet in advance of Mr Gilligan’s planned return to debate the issue.