BELEAGURED Sport NI has been hit by mass resignations from its board.
Nine members of the 14-person board yesterday tendered their resignations with immediate effect, amid allegations about leadership within the body.
Sport minister Carál Ní Chuilín said she was now "taking steps to intervene directly" to help the remaining five board members and staff.
The resignations come just a few days after Ms Ní Chuilín said she was seeking an urgent meeting with senior Sport NI staff following fresh allegations about leadership and management within the body.
The Sinn Féin minister said a report by the Head of Internal Audit at the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) and the Department of Education (DE) "set out a range of serious allegations and concerns in relation to the leadership, management and the overall culture within Sport NI".
In a shock announcement last night, Ms Ní Chuilín said shortly before a meeting with the Sport NI board yesterday, she was told that nine members had resigned.
“I have this evening met with representatives of the Board of Sport NI and advised them of my deep concerns at the issues raised by their staff with the Head of Internal Audit for DCAL and DE," she said.
“Just prior to the meeting I was advised that nine members of the Board of Sport NI have tendered their resignation with immediate effect. I am accepting their resignations and wish to thank them for their efforts in promoting and fostering sport during their time in office."
She said staff's concerns would be addressed.
“Given the ongoing challenges in Sport NI, I am taking steps to intervene directly to support both staff and the remaining Board members," she said.
“I also wish to advise staff that their concerns are being taken seriously and that they will be fully addressed.
“I have arranged to meet again with the remaining Board members later this week and will be making no further public comment in advance of this meeting."
On Friday, Ms Ní Chuilín stressed that the latest allegations are not connected to those made by safety expert Paul Scott, who complained he was bullied by officials at the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.
Mr Scott told Stormont's Culture, Arts and Leisure committee he was put under "undue pressure" by the officials to approve plans for the new Casement Park stadium and made a complaint of bullying against them in December 2014.
He also made a "formal protected disclosure" to the board of Sport NI, where he is safety compliance unit manager.
The resignations will put Sport NI into further turmoil after chief executive Antoinette McKeown was suspended from her role earlier this year.
