NIHE Seek Retraction Of DUP Related Irish News Story

The DUP have responded to claims that one of their MLA's "enquired about a house in north Belfast" a week prior to it becoming vacant.

In a story on Thursday, 16 August, that originated with the Irish News, it was claimed that the tenants of the house in question were forced to leave their home following intimidation just one week after DUP MLA William Humphrey's constituency office had contacted the Housing Executive about the property on behalf of a woman "connected to prominent Loyalist family".

However, the DUP have responded to the story, clarifying that while the contact had indeed been made, it was not in relation to a Connswater Homes property – a number of which have been the subject of intimidation, which is being investigated by the PSNI – but was in fact about a Housing Executive property in Ballysillian Avenue.

A party spokesperson stated: "William's office made representation for a constituent. This related to a Housing Executive property and not one of the Connswater Homes properties which have been subject to intimidation.

"This can be readily confirmed from the content of the email which the Irish News has referenced and can be confirmed by the Housing Executive.

"This constituent has consented for Mr Humphrey to publicly confirm that the property which she enquired about, which 'would soon become vacant', is a Housing Executive property in Ballysillan Avenue.

"She was aware from the previous tenants, with whom she is on friendly terms, that they were terminating their tenancy and moving to another country. She has since been offered this tenancy and has accepted."

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive also responded following publication of the story and are calling for a retraction of the Irish New article which it said was "misleading and inaccurate".

A statement, posted to their Twitter account, states: "We are seeking a retraction of the article published ... in the Irish News as we believe it is misleading and inaccurate. It is regrettable that we were not contacted to confirm the details of the story or seek a right of reply.

"We regularly receive correspondence from members of the public and people acting on their behalf regarding housing and the availability of properties. We have good working relationships with political representatives who contact us on behalf of their constituents.

"Following contact from the office of William Humphrey MLA last week, the Housing Executive immediately began conducting a review into concerns regarding a potential data breach around this case."

North Belfast DUP welcomed the "unambiguous statement" from the NIHE, stating that the Irish News story had "no basis in fact".

They concluded: "We look forward to their retraction tomorrow. We will be seeking advice on taking this mater further."

(MH/CM)