Police board chief delays return to work after house search

The chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board is delaying his return to office until a police investigation into his involvement in a Belfast land deal is completed.

Barry Gilligan, who was expected back at his desk next week after recovering from major heart surgery, announced his decision today after officers searched his south Belfast home and board office.

He said: "It had been my intention to return to my role as Chairman before the end of the summer but in light of the recent activity by the PSNI, my coronary condition and the dignity of the office of Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, I feel that I should not return to the role at this time."

Mr Gilligan said he was confident he would be fully vindicated.

A number of unspecified items were taken by police from his home and his office at the Board's headquarters in the Clarendon dock area of Belfast last night.

Police are investigating a land deal involving the father-of-three's property company Big Picture Developments.

Mr Gilligan is a director of the business.

Detectives were called in five months ago by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to investigate its role at a site in Nelson Street, Belfast, owned by the company.

Mr Gilligan, who has been away from work on health grounds since February, said he would co-operate fully with the police.

"As with every individual in our community, it is my responsibility to assist the police in whatever way possible in the conduct of their inquiries," he said.

"I would expect no less and will give no less.

"My fellow directors and I have made, and continue to make, ourselves and our company files totally available to the PSNI in order to clear matters up as speedily as possible, confident that we will be completely vindicated.

"To that end, I will voluntarily meet the PSNI in the coming days at a mutually convenient time."

Mr Gilligan said it was his intention to return to his position as board chair "as soon as possible" and would be seeking support from his fellow members of the police oversight body.

"I will seek that support from the Board at its meeting on September 2, 2010," he said.