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Arlene Foster has backed calls for a police probe into delays in repaying Covid-19 support payments.<\/p>\nArlene Foster has backed calls for a police probe into delays in repaying Covid-19 support payments.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s former West Tyrone Assembly member Catherine Kelly became the fourth member of her party to resign over the relief cash.<\/p>\n
On Friday, it emerged that Gary Middleton from the DUP had asked police to carry out a criminal investigation into the delayed repayments.<\/p>\n
The First Minister told the BBC\u2019s Good Morning Ulster program: \u201cI think Gary is right to report this to the police.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe money is not theirs, the money was received in error and therefore it should have been returned.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added that public representatives have a \u201cparticular duty\u201d to protect public funds.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s up to the police, of course, whether they decide to instigate criminal investigation but I absolutely support my party colleague in the complaint he has made.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under the scheme, a \u00a310,000 (\u20ac11,000) payment was automatically sent to any firm in receipt of small business rate relief.<\/p>\n
The North’s Economy Department said 24,700 grants were paid out under the scheme.<\/p>\n
Of those, 2 per cent (452) may not have been eligible.<\/p>\n
It has recouped 70 and work is under way to recover all ineligible payments.<\/p>\n
Ms Kelly tendered her resignation to party leader Mary Lou McDonald on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald acknowledged and apologized \u201conce again\u201d for the \u201cclear failure to immediately reimburse public money\u201d.<\/p>\n
Three other party activists, including former Foyle MP Elisha McCallion and officials in Upper Bann and West Tyrone, stepped down.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland\u2019s schools have reopened with special safety measures following the extended mid-term break.<\/p>\n
They include the mandatory wearing of face coverings for post-primary pupils on school transport.<\/p>\n
The North’s Education Minister Peter Weir has urged parents and carers not to congregate at school gates when dropping off pupils.<\/p>\n