Tag Archives: Special Advisors

Ulster Unionist MLA for East Antrim, Roy Beggs, has criticised the Alliance Party for backing Sinn Fein retaining high profile Special Advisers with serious criminal terrorist convictions, and has urged Stewart Dickson to explain their support for Sinn Fein. During the second reading of a Bill to stop convicted terrorists becoming Special Advisers, the Alliance Party opposed the passage of the proposed law change Mr Beggs commented; “I accept that just because someone has a past, does not mean that they cannot have a future. However Special Advisers are not appointed on open competition. They are presently given privileged access to sensitive government information without the requirement of undergoing vetting- which applies to all others in the senior civil service. They can earn up to £90,000 a year. But of most concern is the fact that they are often in the public eye as they accompany the Minister that appoints … Continue reading →