DUP councillor Linda Clarke suspended over planning conflicts
The watchdog began investigating in 2019 following a series of newspaper reports.A hearing on Wednesday was told Mrs Clarke sat on the council's planning committee in May 2017 when her husband made representations on two applications.He was noted in council records as representing the applicant.Mrs Clarke had received guidance from the council's lawyer earlier that month advising of a possible conflict of interest.The advice said that Mr Clarke was understood at the time to be "connected with a planning consultancy business".Assistant commissioner Ian Gordon found Mrs Clarke had breached three sections of the councillors' code of conduct relating to declaring interests.The hearing was told the councillor had apologised in submissions to the watchdog.She expressed "regret" that she did not declare her "dual conflict of interest" in the planning applications and withdraw from the council meeting.Mr Gordon said the councillor "did not display insight into her actions" and did not accept her conflict of interest "until very recently".He said the councillor had a "significant private and personal non-pecuniary interest"."The area of planning is a matter of substantial public interest," he added.The commissioner said Mrs Clarke had "no previous history" of breaching the code and had self-referred to the watchdog following media reports.
Controversies
The watchdog probe was among a number of controversies which emerged in 2019 surrounding the Clarkes.At the time, the couple insisted they "made all the relevant declarations and adhered to all rules".In 2023, another DUP councillor who worked in Mr Clarke's constituency office was suspended from the council's planning committee for three months.The watchdog found John Smyth breached the code of conduct by not declaring an interest when Mr Clarke made representations to the committee.In 2021, the assembly member apologised for not declaring to a constituent who was opposing a planning application that he was lobbying for the plans through a side-line consultancy business.The apology followed a complaint made to the Northern Ireland Assembly's standards commissioner.Clarke had faced questions in 2019 after it emerged he was running the consultancy business, which represented applicants in the council planning process.He denied it was a conflict of interest that breached assembly rules, but later ceased its operations.It also emerged Mid and East Antrim Borough Council had launched a planning enforcement investigation into a triple garage built at the Clarkes' home without approval.Mr Clarke, at the time, insisted it did not require planning permission.But he later submitted a retrospective application, which was granted.The DUP has been approached for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Footballer ‘who made profound impact' dies three weeks after road collision on Twelfth
Aaron Moffett (38) was involved in a collision near Markethill while making his way back from the Twelfth demonstrations in Keady on Saturday July 12. The crash happened on the Coolmillish Road at around 4.30pm. Aaron was being treated in hospital prior to his passing. DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley posted on Facebook on Friday evening: 'It is with deep sadness that we have learned of the passing of Aaron Moffett this evening. 'Since the accident on 12th July, countless prayers have been said on Aaron's behalf. 'He was a man who made a profound impact on so many across so many walks of life. 'We are holding the entire Moffett and Robinson families and friends in our thoughts and prayers at this time. 'No words can adequately describe the deep sorry we all feel at this difficult time.' Mr Buckley told the Belfast Telegraph that Aaron's family are 'devastated'. 'He was a popular young man and they are a well-respected family; it is just devastating,' he said. 'He was known in so many circles and was so highly regarded, it was news no one wanted to hear. 'He fought a brave fight but he has unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and my thoughts go out to his wife Lindsey and mum and dad and sisters and brothers in laws and many uncles and aunties.' The Portadown man was from the Knocknamuckley area and previously played for Dollingstown FC as captain and Loughgall FC. Loughgall FC expressed "great sadness' at the news of his passing adding how he 'battled hard right to the very end.' 'Our sincere condolences to Aaron's wife Lindsey, his parents John and Florence and the rest of the Moffett and Robinson family circle at this incredibly difficult time,' they said. 'We extend our deepest condolences to Dollingstown Football Club who Aaron served with incredible distinction over the past couple of decades.' Portadown BBOB FC posted on Facebook: 'It is with a heavy heart, that we have heard the sad news of Aaron Moffett passing away. 'It's hard to find the right words to express the deep sorrow that will be felt throughout the club. 'Aaron touched so many lives and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. 'Please keep Aaron's wife Lindsey, his parents John and Florence and rest of his family and loved ones in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time. 'Aaron will be deeply missed and forever remembered.' News Catch Up - Friday 1st August After the accident Dollingstown chairperson, Hubert Watson, said Aaron was with the club for 18 years and was loved and admired by everyone. 'Thirteen years as club captain and then once he retired, he became the club's secretary,' he said. "Throughout his playing career he lifted 14 or 15 trophies for the club, and he has been a leader both on and off the pitch.'
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Appeals judges order ICC prosecutor to recuse himself from Venezuela investigation
Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court on Friday ordered chief prosecutor Karim Khan to recuse himself from an investigation into Venezuela, citing a conflict of interest. Khan's sister-in-law, international criminal lawyer Venkateswari Alagendra, has been part of a team representing the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the five-judge appeals panel at the ICC says her involvement creates an issue of 'bias' for the prosecutor. The British barrister, who is currently on leave from the court, stepped down temporarily pending an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Alagendra and Khan worked together previously on cases, including as defense counsel for Kenyan President William Ruto and for Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the son of the late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Alagendra is the sister of Khan's wife, human rights lawyer Shyamala Alagendra. The Washington-based Arcadia Foundation, which focuses on human rights issues in Venezuela, filed a complaint with the court in 2024, asking for Khan to be removed from the case over a conflict of interest. The court dismissed the initial complaint in February. In written filings, Khan told the court he could not 'recall' any discussion with his sister-in-law about the facts of the case and did not attend any meetings where she was present. The ICC has an ongoing investigation into violence that followed Venezuela's 2017 election but has so far not sought any arrest warrants. Khan announced in late 2021 that he was opening the investigation after a lengthy preliminary probe and an official referral — a request to investigate — in 2018 from Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay and Peru. However, the full-scale investigation was put on hold when Venezuelan authorities said they wanted to take over the case. The ICC is a court of last resort that only takes on cases when national authorities are unwilling or unable to investigate, a system known as complementarity. Khan pressed ahead with efforts to continue the court's first investigation in Latin America. ICC judges agreed with Khan and authorized him to resume investigations in Venezuela in 2023.
The Independent
13 hours ago
- The Independent
Judge keen to ensure trial of Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife not delayed again
A judge has stressed that the trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson should not be delayed again. The couple both face charges relating to alleged historical sex offences. The trial had previously been due to start in March, but was delayed because of Eleanor Donaldson's ill health. A new trial date has been set for November 3. The case was mentioned briefly at Belfast Crown Court on Friday morning for an update on an assessment over whether Eleanor Donaldson is currently fit to stand trial. Ian Turkington KC, who represents Eleanor Donaldson, said his client was examined by a consultant psychiatrist on July 18. 'We have been told we can expect a report, hopefully this Monday,' he said. 'That being so, I've indicated that if there is an intention to serve any report, it'll be done within seven days of our receipt of the report, assuming it is Monday.' The prosecution also intend to instruct a doctor to examine Eleanor Donaldson. Judge Paul Ramsey put to Mr Turkington that this depends what is in the report, and expressed that he is keen to ensure the trial date is not interfered with. It was agreed the case would be mentioned on September 11 at Newry Crown Court for an update. The judge said it would not be necessary for defendants to attend on that date. Jeffrey Donaldson, 62, who did not attend the hearing in Belfast on Friday, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences. The charges include one count of rape as well as allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. These alleged incidents span a time period between 1985 and 2008, and there are two alleged victims. Eleanor Donaldson, 59, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, who also did not attend court, is facing charges of aiding and abetting, which she denies. Jeffrey Donaldson, the long-standing MP for Lagan Valley was arrested and charged at the end of March last year. He resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations emerged. Weeks before his arrest, he had led the DUP back into Stormont after a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions.
