Apology from Charity Commission over Jamie Bryson’s ‘sworn oath’

An internal investigation by the Charity Commission (CCNI) has found that commission staff had no legal authority to place Jamie Bryson “under oath” during a voluntary interview.

In a letter to the loyalist activist and commentator, the CCNI said an apology should be issued over the handling of the interview in September 2019.

Mr Bryson said: “I welcome that my complaint has been upheld. Furthermore it is apparent that contrary to some sensationalist reporting that, in fact, I was never personally even under CCNI investigation.

“It’s really rather incredible that staff in CCNI purported to interview anyone under oath.”

Mr Bryson added: “The work of Chief Commissioner Nicole Lappin has gone some way to untangling the mess, but clearly there must also be a robust independent process to deal with the issues prior to her appointment.”

Welcoming the finding, TUV leader Jim Allister also referenced the Baume report which found that the widow of a disabled police officer had been inappropriately threatened with legal action, and also revealed “problematic cultural issues” at CCNI.

An independent review of the CCNI has been commissioned.

Mr Allister said: “This is the latest in a litany of gaffes and failures by the Commission.

“I have today tabled a question to the Minister for Communities asking if the issues highlighted in the report into Mr Bryson’s complain will be included within the scope of the review” into the commission.