Mid and East Antrim Council rejects call for investigation into removal of Larne Port staff

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council voted against an investigation into a decision to remove staff from Larne Port at a special meeting tonight that threatened to descend into farce.
Mid and East Antrim Council removed staff from duties at Larne Port earlier this month over threats to their safetyMid and East Antrim Council removed staff from duties at Larne Port earlier this month over threats to their safety
Mid and East Antrim Council removed staff from duties at Larne Port earlier this month over threats to their safety

Councillors voted against the motion, brought by Alliance councillor Danny Donnelly, by 26 votes to 11 with one abstention.

The council had voted to remove its staff from inspection duties at Larne Port on February 1 due to concerns over threats to their safety.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the PSNI later said there was no intelligence indicating paramilitary involvement, while trade unions disputed claims by the council’s mayor, DUP councillor Peter Johnston, that they had raised concerns about apparent attempts to record vehicle number plates.

Mr Donnelly said a clear timeline of events and communcation that led to the information the council was given was needed.

He said: “The decision we took has clearly had serious consequences. This is about the integrity of council we all serve in. This is not a personal attack, a politically motivated campaign or a political football. If there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear.”

DUP councillor William McCaughey said that “even with hindsight” he would still come to the same decision as he did on February 1.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Police activity still prevails around the port. That alone indicates to me that this chamber took the right decision for the right reasons.

“Did the EU not remove their employees on the same information at the same time as we did? I am mystified at the reason behind this motion.”

A Stormont investigation is also to take place into the suspension of checks at Larne and Belfast Port by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

An amendment, tabled by UUP councillor Keith Turner, to delay the investigation until Stormont’s investigation concludes was also defeated by 20 votes to 19.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 90-minute meeting threatened to descend into farce at times as councillors argued with each other, with discussions often straying into wider points on Brexit and the NI Protocol.

The mayor was asked by Alliance councillor Geraldine Mulvenna to excuse himself from chairing the meeting over concerns on his impartiality on the matter.

This was dismissed by Mr Johnston who hit out at the Alliance Party’s decision to wait until the meeting to raise these concerns and question his credibility in the media.