Police search Mid and East Antrim council offices

Q Radio News/PA

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council offices have been searched by police as part of an investigation into suspected misconduct in public office. 

The searches took place on Wednesday in Ballymena, a spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed. 

The searches relate to suspected misconduct in public office, as well as suspected offences under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. 

A spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said that it was “fully assisting” the PSNI with its inquiries. 

They added: “As this is an ongoing investigation, Council is unable to comment further at this time.”

PSNI confirms officers “visited an address earlier today at Bridge St, Ballymena, as part of an investigation into suspected offences of Misconduct in Public Office & under the Freedom of Information Act.” It follows reports of a police raid at Mid & East Antrim Borough Council. pic.twitter.com/C1GmoIQ2Em

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) October 20, 2021

Traditional Unionist Voice councillor Timothy Gaston called the situation a “shambles”.

In a statement, posted on Twitter, he said: “I am left dumbfounded that no communication has been provided to elected members explaining the visible PSNI activity in our HQ.”

SDLP councillor Eugene Reid called it a “sorry episode”.

On Twitter, Mr Reid said it was the “latest in a long line of incidents that have dragged the name of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council through the mud and I have contacted senior council officials to request an immediate update following this raid”.