Northern Ireland

Peter Robinson could be called as witness in Jamie Bryson and Daithí McKay Nama case

(left to right) Former DUP leader Peter Robinson, Jamie Bryson, former Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay and Thomas O'Hara 
(left to right) Former DUP leader Peter Robinson, Jamie Bryson, former Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay and Thomas O'Hara  (left to right) Former DUP leader Peter Robinson, Jamie Bryson, former Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay and Thomas O'Hara 

FORMER First Minister Peter Robinson is expected to be called to give evidence in the high-profile case of three people due to be charged in connection with a Stormont committee hearing into the Nama sale.

The Irish News revealed last week that the Public Prosecution Service is to prosecute loyalist Jamie Bryson, former Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay and party member Thomas O'Hara in relation to an evidence session in 2015.

The PPS said: "After a careful consideration of all evidence, and having received advice from senior counsel, it has been decided to prosecute three suspects jointly on one charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office.

"In taking these decisions, senior prosecutors considered evidence received from police in relation to allegations of the manipulation of the presentation of evidence put before the Assembly Committee for Finance and Personnel in September 2015."

The charges are linked to correspondence obtained by The Irish News in 2016 which alleged that Mr McKay, chair of the committee at the time, had been in contact with Mr Bryson via an intermediary - Mr O'Hara - prior to his appearance before MLAs.

The revelation caused a political scandal, with Mr McKay resigning his seat within hours.

Mr Bryson had been called to give evidence to the committee and using privilege alleged that five deal-fixers had been due a share of money in an Isle of Man account relating to the £1.2bn sale of Nama's interests in Northern Ireland.

Jamie Bryson watches Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay on a screen before he appeared at the Stormont finance committee's Nama inquiry in September 2015.
Jamie Bryson watches Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay on a screen before he appeared at the Stormont finance committee's Nama inquiry in September 2015. Jamie Bryson watches Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay on a screen before he appeared at the Stormont finance committee's Nama inquiry in September 2015.

All parties named, including Mr Robinson, denied any wrongdoing.

Following The Irish News story the DUP’s Maurice Morrow made a complaint to police in which the party chairman alleged that Mr Bryson's appearance had caused public harm and was an effort to bring down the institutions.

He also named Peter Robinson as the injured party in the statement of complaint.

Mr Robinson is now expected to be a key witness for the prosecution.

Mr Bryson has threatened to represent himself in court, which could mean the former first minister being cross-examined by the blogger, who made a series of allegations about his involvement in Nama.

Mr Robinson described his claims as "scurrilous and unfounded" and said Mr Bryson's appearance at the committee was "little short of pantomime".

The National Assets Management Agency (Nama), the Republic's 'bad bank', was set up to deal with toxic loans after the 2008 property crash.

The UK's National Crime Agency has been investigating the deal to sell its property interests in Northern Ireland.