Roads Service probes overgraft claims

East Londonderry MLA John Dallat discovered the malpractice and alleged malpractice after quizzing Roads Minister Danny Kennedy on the matter at Stormont.

Two other allegations of cronyism by Roads Service employees were deemed to be unfounded following investigations.

In one instance it was alleged that a contractor, working for Roads Service, was hiring plant from a company in which a Roads Service employee had an interest.

But no evidence of impropriety or wrongdoing was found.

Another allegation that a contractor, working for Roads Service, was sub-contracting work to a company run by a family member of a Roads Service employee was also unproven.

Mr Kennedy stated: “Roads Service has also received some complaints from ‘aggrieved’ contractors relating to the procurement of contracts, which have been the subject of investigations, however, details are not included in this answer as officials do not consider such individuals to be whistleblowers.”