Northern Ireland

Sport NI chief executive Antoinette McKeown dismissed

Sport NI chief executive Antoinette McKeown, who has been dismissed
Sport NI chief executive Antoinette McKeown, who has been dismissed Sport NI chief executive Antoinette McKeown, who has been dismissed

THE chief executive of Sport NI has been dismissed.

Antoinette McKeown, the first woman to head the body, was suspended from her role in March 2015, less than two years after her appointment.

During her suspension, several grievance cases were investigated.

Sport NI said on Wednesday night: "Following a disciplinary process chief executive Antoinette McKeown has been dismissed, subject to appeal."

Ms McKeown said she and her legal team will lodge an appeal to the "shocking decision", the BBC reported.

A spokesman for the Department of Communities, which is responsible for Sport NI, said it would be inappropriate to comment on an employee matter.

Sport NI is tasked with encouraged participation in sport but has been hit by allegations of bullying and poor leadership.

In April, Sport NI's chair Brian Henning and vice-chair Ian McEvoy stepped down following months of turmoil within the organisation.

Whistleblowers first reported concerns about management and the treatment of staff to the then Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure in June 2015.

In July of the same year three civil servants were appointed to take temporary control of the organisation following the shock resignation of nine members of its board.