Ex-PSNI chief dismayed by '˜cronyism' in NI public life

One of Northern Ireland's most senior and most recognisable police figures has said that he does not plan to seek any further public appointment in Northern Ireland because of the level of 'cronyism' here in public life.
Alan McQuillan says he has 'major concerns' about public appointmentsAlan McQuillan says he has 'major concerns' about public appointments
Alan McQuillan says he has 'major concerns' about public appointments

Former deputy chief constable Alan McQuillan – who retired in 2003 before going on to head up the Assets Recovery Agency which targeted criminal assets – said that “a level of cronyism exists in Northern Ireland in which corruption can thrive”.

Mr McQuillan’s comments come just days after BBC Spotlight revealed that Frank Cushnahan, one of the Province’s most senior business figures and a friend of the then first minister and finance minister, accepted £40,000 in a bag from a property developer and then asked him to lie to police about the cash payment. Mr Cushnahan has denied any wrongdoing.

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Mr McQuillan had been one of three people who for the last five years set MLAs’ salaries and expenses, drawing criticism from many MLAs for cutting their office expenses.

When asked what he now plans to do, Mr McQuillan told the Belfast Telegraph: “I don’t know but, because of the level of cronyism here, I don’t intend to seek any further public appointments in Northern Ireland.

“We don’t have anything like the level of transparency that there is in Britain.”

Mr McQuillan added: “The key for me is the lack of transparency regarding political donations.

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“We are the only part of the UK where donations to the parties are kept secret. That must change, otherwise allegations will persist that people are getting favours.

“Northern Ireland is a very small place. Too many jobs are filled by people who simply have the right political connections.

“I have major concerns about how public appointments work here. When an inquiry is set up, the classic response is to appoint ‘one of ours and one of yours’.

“Not the best people for the job, the most acceptable people. We need to break away from that, because it damages the reputation of politics entirely.”

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