News

Secretary of state 'aware of concern' about civil servant decision making

Karen Bradley said she is "aware of concerns" about civil servants taking policy decisions
Karen Bradley said she is "aware of concerns" about civil servants taking policy decisions Karen Bradley said she is "aware of concerns" about civil servants taking policy decisions

SECRETARY of State Karen Bradley has said she is "aware of concerns" about policy decisions being made by senior civil servants in the absence of a Stormont executive.

The interim head of the civil service David Sterling has said there is a lack of clarity on the issue following the High Court's reversal of planning approval for a waste-burning power plant at Mallusk near Belfast.

Mr Sterling had warned that events such as the North West 200, where road closures are normally authorised by a minister, could now be at risk.

"I'm well aware of the concerns, well aware of the problems," she told the BBC.