Board backs Gilligan decision
Policing Board Chairman Barry Gilligan will not return to his post until a police investigation into his involvement in a Belfast land deal has been completed, board members have confirmed.
Backing Mr Gilligan’s decision to stand aside from his role, the board said in a statement:
“Members agreed that due to the nature of the role and work of the Board’s Chairman, there was a need to ensure that the integrity of the post is protected.
“For this reason, Members agreed that the position adopted by Mr Gilligan at this time is appropriate.”
Last month Mr Gilligan, 58, said he was postponing his return to office after heart surgery pending the completion of the criminal investigation.
He went voluntarily to a police station to be questioned about the land deal, after his south Belfast home and Police Board HQ office were searched by police.
The father-of-three denies any wrongdoing and said he was confident he will be “completely vindicated” by the investigation.
Detectives were called in six months ago by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to investigate the sale of a site in Nelson Street to Big Picture Developments, a property company of which Mr Gilligan is a director.
Mr Gilligan said he would co-operate fully with the police.
This was the firstly monthly meeting of the board after the summer break.
