Police receive complaint over Robin Newton TV claims

By David Hunter

Police say they've received a complaint conerning the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Robin Newton.

It follows claims in a Spotlight programme regarding Mr. Newton's apparent ties to an organisation with UDA Links. 

Charter NI named the DUP Assemblyman as an advisor, but Mr. Newton denied this on the floor of the Chamber at Stormont. 

The speaker announced this week he will not be standing for the post of Speaker again and denies being an advisor to Charter NI. 

The BBC programme said it had uncovered documentation that showed Mr Newton was named as an advisor to the organisation, whilst at the same time sitting on a steering group that awarded the organisation a £1.7million pound employability scheme.

 It was controversially awarded through Stormont's Social Investment Fund (SIF).

Last October, Mr Newton blocked a question about Charter NI's awarded money, while its CEO Dee Stitt was continually linked with the UDA.

Mr Newton said at the time he would have no future role with any questions around SIF.

In a statement earlier this week, Robin Newton denied holding any position within Charter NI and the allegations against him.

It said: "I reject the allegations in the Spotlight programme. I did not mislead the NI Assembly. I have never been appointed to any position with Charter NI.

"I am not responsible for how others refer to me in their correspondence.