Northern Ireland

Andrew Crawford alleged spin doctor David Gordon briefed against him

Former DUP special adviser Andrew Crawford gave evidence to the RHI Inquiry yesterday
Former DUP special adviser Andrew Crawford gave evidence to the RHI Inquiry yesterday Former DUP special adviser Andrew Crawford gave evidence to the RHI Inquiry yesterday

FORMER DUP special adviser Andrew Crawford alleged that at the height of the Renewable Heat Incentive crisis, the executive's then press secretary David Gordon was involved "briefing against me to the media".

Dr Crawford resigned in January 2017 after he was named in the assembly's Public Accounts Committee as attempting to delay the introduction of cost controls to the RHI scheme - a claim the former Spad strongly denies.

He told the RHI Inquiry yesterday the alleged briefings happened before he handed in his resignation.

He said his claim is based on email exchanges given to the inquiry.

"If you look at the exchanges that took place between him (Mr Gordon) and (DUP adviser) Richard Bullick in December (2016) you see the reference to 'getting the real story out'," he said.

Yesterday he again denied he was involved in any delay in imposing cost controls and said the DUP wanted to "pin the blame" on him.

"I believe there was work going on behind the scenes to pin the blame on me if possible," he said.

Read more:

  • Correspondence shows Stormont press secretary describing Jonathan Bell as 'monster'
  • Follow the RHI inquiry live today (Friday September 14) as Andrew Crawford gives evidence for a second day
Former journalist and executive press secretary David Gordon
Former journalist and executive press secretary David Gordon Former journalist and executive press secretary David Gordon