Watchdog clears Cullen over Leech PR contracts

MARTIN CULLEN was in the clear last night as the State ethics watchdog decided against initiating a full inquiry into the appointment of his political associate Monica Leech as a PR consultant.

Following a meeting that lasted more than two hours, the Standards In Public Office Commission announced it did not establish a “prima facie case” to warrant an investigation.

The decision secures the embattled Transport Minister’s place in the Cabinet as he was also cleared of any wrongdoing by a separate independent investigation by former Revenue Commissioner Dermot Quigley.