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De La Salle College: Principal tells of `legacy issues'

De La Salle principal Claire White
De La Salle principal Claire White De La Salle principal Claire White

THE head of De La Salle College has spoken of `legacy issues' at her school prior to her appointment.

Claire White, who took charge in summer 2014, highlighted financial problems flagged by an audit report.

Speaking for the first time since parents called for her to stand down, Ms White made no reference to the current dispute.

She yesterday spoke about an investigation by the former Belfast Education and Library Board.

An audit in 2013 found "there had been serious cases of misappropriation of funds within the school, particularly through the sports hall fund and school credit card".

Ms White asked BELB to conduct a separate review of the sports hall account, which is separate from the school's main budget.

A complaint was made to police. Numerous people were interviewed on suspicion of fraud by abuse of position, with a file passed to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) for direction. The PPS said this file was "currently under active consideration".

Ms White said, on starting her new job at De La Salle College, "there were several legacy issues which had to be dealt with" including an immediate review of the school's financial accounts.

Robust financial and procurement procedures have now been fully implemented, she said in a statement to the BBC's Nolan show.

"The newly constituted members of the board of governors includes a member of the Northern Ireland audit team, who chairs regular finance committee meetings which ensures that all school expenditure is scrutinised and a full audit trail is kept," she said.

"A recent independent review of private school funds has concluded that proper financial management is now in place.

"Managing change following critical audit reports is never easy but with the support of the board of governors, changes have been implemented which allow us to focus on the education of the children and their welfare by providing them with a first class education."