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Minister warned over special adviser report

STORMONT'S social development committee has warned DUP minister Mervyn Storey, pictured, that he will hold the assembly in contempt over his failure to release an unredacted version of the fact-finding report into his special adviser.

The report into the conduct of Stephen Brimstone, who also worked for Mr Storey's predecessor Nelson McCausland, was carried out by the head of the civil service in 2013 after it was alleged that he tried to influence the outcome of a vote by the Housing Executive board. The allegation was at the centre of a BBC Spotlight programme.

A fortnight ago, Mr Storey presented the committee with a redacted version of the report.

The committee wrote to the minister last week suggesting arbitration facilitated by a high court judge. But while Mr Storey said he was happy to meet committee chairman Alex Maskey, he would not agree to the proposal.