WIREDGOV

An attack today by Northern Ireland Culture, Arts and Leisure minister Edwin Poots accusing Stormont civil servants of working to block the building of a sports stadium at the Maze was condemned as cowardly and unacceptable by the FDA, representing civil servants in the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

Jonathan Baume, general secretary of the FDA, said:

“Mr Poots’ attack on his civil servants is cowardly and unacceptable.

“This is a sensitive and expensive project, and ministers – and the public - must be satisfied about the business case and value for money before proceeding. The role of civil servants is to provide advice to ministers and to ensure that they are fully aware of all of the realities. We recognise that Mr Poots has a strong constituency interest in pursuing this project, but this attack seems more about internal politics within the DUP.

“It is unacceptable for ministers, whether in Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff or London to attack their civil servants in this way, particularly when those civil servants are unable to answer back. Mr Poots’ outburst can only be described as cowardly. Civil servants working to support all of the ministers within the Assembly are political impartial, and have worked hard to ensure that ministers receive first-rate support. The Northern Ireland Civil Service can take considerable credit for the success to date of devolved government in .”

Notes for Editors

1. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing 18,000 of the ’s senior civil and public servants. Our members include policy advisors, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, special advisers, government lawyers, diplomats, crown prosecutors and NHS managers.

2. Members in HMRC are represented by the Association of Revenue and Customs (ARC), a section of the FDA.

3. The FDA (formerly the First Division Association) should be referred to simply as "The FDA" and can be described as "the senior public servants’ union".

4. For further information contact:

· Jonathan Baume, General Secretary, tel: 020 7401 5555 or 07976 951191

· Oliver Rowe, Communications Officer, tel: 07751 366680.