Northern Ireland

Sinn Féin to seek advice from standards watchdog over DUP councillor's Cricket World Cup trip

DUP councillor Philip Brett (centre) went on a trip to watch the Cricket World Cup (left) which was paid for by Belfast International Airport (right) 
DUP councillor Philip Brett (centre) went on a trip to watch the Cricket World Cup (left) which was paid for by Belfast International Airport (right)  DUP councillor Philip Brett (centre) went on a trip to watch the Cricket World Cup (left) which was paid for by Belfast International Airport (right) 

SINN Féin has said it will seek advice from a standards watchdog after a DUP councillor took a short break valued at £2,000 and paid for by Belfast International Airport weeks after proposing to adopt a recommendation to refuse a planning application from a rival business.

The Irish News revealed yesterday that Philip Brett, the DUP’s group leader on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, attended a Cricket World Cup match on May 30 as part of the trip.

It took place six weeks after he proposed to follow a recommendation by council planners to refuse permission for an extension to a family-owned car park close to the airport.

It is not known when the trip was arranged and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Mr Brett.

The DUP would not clarify details, saying only: "Councillor Brett has complied fully with the requirements of registering hospitality."

Deputy Mayor Anne Marie Logue last night said she intends to take advice from the Local Government Commissioner for Standards.

The Sinn Féin councillor previously said she was unaware of the trip but believed members of the planning committee should not accept gifts.

“What I would be worried about here is public perception,” she said.

Mr Brett received tickets for a cricket match, return flights, a two-night hotel stay and “associated hospitality” valued at £2,000 in total.

A council spokeswoman said: “Council policy requires councillors to declare gifts and hospitality above the value of £20.

“Alderman Brett has complied fully with this requirement.”

Details are listed in the council’s Hospitality and Gifts Register for Elected Members.

It shows that a second councillor, former Ulster Unionist South Antrim MP Danny Kinahan, also went on the trip.

Mr Kinahan was elected to the council in May, after the planning committee vote.

Mr Brett works in the office of North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds and describes himself on Twitter as a “senior staffer”.

His brother Gavin was shot dead by the UDA close to his family home in Glengormley in 2001.

The planning application included a change of use from farm buildings and yard to provide an extension of existing commercial car parking for users of Belfast International Airport.

Planners said the applicant had not demonstrated “that there is a need for the facility nor has any need been identified in any published transport plan”.

The airport had objected to the application and a QC representing the business spoke at a planning meeting on April 15.

Mr Brett's proposal to refuse the application was seconded Alliance’s Tom Campbell and passed with five votes in favour and five abstentions.

Mr Campbell has said he was “not been offered hospitality by the international airport or anyone else”.

The airport has declined to confirm which elected representatives took part in the trip or when it was arranged.

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DUP refuses to clarify councillor's Cricket World Cup trip paid for by Belfast International Airport