THE SDLP has said it intends to invite the local government standards commissioner to a council after a DUP member took a short break paid for by Belfast International Airport weeks after proposing to adopt a recommendation to refuse a planning application from a rival business.
Antrim and Newtownabbey SDLP councillor Thomas Burns last night said he also intends to raise the matter with the council directly.
The Irish News revealed earlier this week that the DUP’s group leader on the council, Phillip Brett, attended a Cricket World Cup match on May 30 as part of an airport-sponsored trip valued at £2,000.
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 has not clarified details, saying only: "Councillor Brett has complied fully with the requirements of registering hospitality."
Sinn Féin has already said it intends to take advice from the Local Government Commissioner for Standards.
Mr Burns last night said his party also intends to bring the matter up.
“We will have to raise that at council level,” he said.
“We have to bring the commissioner to the council to clarify the position.”
Mr Brett received tickets for a cricket match, return flights, a two-night hotel stay and “associated hospitality”.
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 proposal to refuse the planning 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 had objected to the application and a QC representing the business spoke at a planning meeting on April 15.
The 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 has declined to confirm which elected representatives took part in the trip or when it was arranged.
:: Phillip Brett has denied lobbying on behalf of Belfast International Airport, following the headline on Monday’s front page story which said: `Airport paid for DUP man’s trip after he lobbied on its behalf'. The accompanying report, with which Mr Brett has raised no issue, did not suggest he lobbied on behalf of the airport but we are happy to clarify the headline.
