University says 'nothing to hide' over ex-MP's role

Ulster University has "nothing to hide" over how former Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry was given a professorship there, its vice-chancellor has said.

Paul Bartholomew was responding to questions about the ex-MP and Jodie Carson, a former Stormont special adviser, taking up new jobs without a public recruitment process.

BBC News NI has also learned Dr Carson did not seek approval from Stormont for her new role in line with civil service rules.

Stormont officials said that under the policy, it is for former special advisers themselves to decide whether approval needs to be sought.

Dr Carson’s lawyers said that in relation to her appointment she had made the assessment that an application was not required and had at all times considered and sought to comply with all relevant civil service rules.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) said the appointment process needed further scrutiny.

Dr Farry lost his seat as MP for North Down in the general election in July, and later resigned as Alliance deputy leader.

Ulster University earlier this month announced he and Dr Carson, who until recently was a special adviser to Alliance Environment Minister Andrew Muir, would co-lead a new "strategic policy unit".

It said the pair were appointed through its "exceptional talent pool" process, which has been used in fewer than 10 appointments in the past decade.

The University and College Union (UCU) said it was "surprised and concerned" the jobs had been filled outside of normal recruitment processes.

In a letter to TUV leader Jim Allister, Prof Bartholomew defended the appointments.

"I can give an assurance that the university has nothing to hide regarding these appointments," he wrote.

"The university followed an established process and I am content that this process was exercised appropriately."

Dr Carson left her position as a special adviser on 13 August, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said.

It said special advisers taking up new jobs had to comply with the Northern Ireland Civil Service's standards of conduct.

The policy document outlined how the rules were in place to "maintain public trust" and avoid the risk that a firm or organisation "might gain an improper advantage".

The document states that departing special advisers should make an application to Stormont in certain circumstances.

The permanent secretary of their former department would then consider the application, and whether any conditions should be applied - such as a ban on lobbying the Stormont executive for a specified period.

The rules are supposed to apply for the two-year period after leaving office.

In a statement, Daera it had not received an application from Dr Carson.

The department said it could only consider applications that it received.

"As the policy explains, it is for the former civil servant to determine whether the requirements for submitting an application are met and, if they consider they are, to submit an application," a spokesperson added.

Allister, the MP for North Antrim, said the appointments raised "serious concerns" and called on the head of the civil service to examine the issue.

He also criticised the university, saying it "refused to answer any questions" over its recruitment process.

DUP assembly member Peter Martin said the "whole appointment process" needed further scrutiny.

"The university is a publicly funded body, and they should be transparent about the process used in these appointments," he said.

Ulster University was approached for comment.

It previously said it had "an established process for such infrequent appointments and this process was followed with these specific appointments".

"The university is committed to open competitive recruitment in line with relevant legislation and codes of practice and the vast majority of vacancies will be filled through this recruitment process," a spokesperson said.

It said the "Exceptional Talent Pool" process was used where there was "compelling justification as to why conventional recruitment is not appropriate and where there is a clear and significant strategic benefit for the university".

Stephen Farry will be on The View tonight at 22:40 BST on BBC One Northern Ireland.