Nama deal McGuinness and Bryson to appear before Stormont inquiry

A Stormont inquiry into a £1.2bn sale of property loans is due to take evidence from Martin McGuinness and the loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson later.

But the finance committee must first decide whether to hear Mr Bryson in a private or public session.

The National Asset Management Agency (Nama) sold its Northern Ireland loan book to a US investment fund last year.

The inquiry began after it was claimed a Northern Ireland politician was to get a payment as a result of the sale.

Mick Wallace, an independent politician in the Republic of Ireland, made the claim in the Irish parliament.

Redacted

Mr Bryson contacted the committee claiming he had evidence about the deal.

Last week, MLAs decided witnesses who cannot demonstrate a "direct link" to parties at the centre of the inquiry should be heard behind closed doors.

Their evidence would be published at a later stage and could be partly redacted.

Mr Bryson has claimed he has primary documentation and therefore should be heard in public.

On Tuesday, he tweeted: "Evidence ready and prepared. Looking forward to a transparent hearing tomorrow."

Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay, who chairs the finance committee, said the public wanted to see a "transparency and openness" to the inquiry.

Disputed

"Putting witnesses behind closed doors is not a good idea," he said.

"Tomorrow is a test for political transparency and accountability, and I am confident the majority of committee members will see the need for that to be upheld."

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness will likely be asked by MLAs what knowledge he had of attempts to sell the portfolio.

He has previously disputed being briefed by former Finance Minister Simon Hamilton.

Cerberus, which bought the loans from Nama, has denied that any improper or illegal payments were made on its behalf.

Nama says the sales process was "robust, competitive and secured the best outcome for the Irish taxpayer".

Source by Naijabignews