03/03/2016 The View

Basil McCrea says his party was The destroyed by unfounded

allegations against him of sexual misconduct.

Tonight he tells The View his political recovery is underway.

Tonight - Basil McCrea is cleared of all allegations of misconduct

by the Assembly Standards Commissioner, but a Stormont

Committee draws attention to what it sees as a series of shortfalls

lead think that a question that our viewers deserve to know the answers

to? If it's an important question, then answered it because you have

Forget the labour of love that went into getting the party

established, there's now no love lost between the Labour Party

I am very annoyed. When Jeremy Corbyn was in the office/ year, he

was speaking for the people, what about the people of Northern

Also tonight, almost a week on from polling in the Republic's

election, there's still no sign of a government being formed.

We'll hear from Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail.

And they're back in Commentators' Corner -

The NI21 leader, Basil McCrea, says he's been vindicated

after a string of complaints against him were dismissed

by the Assembly Standards Commissioner.

Mr McCrea had long denied allegations he'd engaged

in inappropriate sexual behaviour with certain members his staff.

But there was criticism of some of his actions from fellow MLAs

on Stormont's Standards and Privileges committee.

So what now for the party's sole MLA?

A short time ago, I asked Basil McCrea for his reaction

to today's report from the Commissioner.

The last time I was in the studio it was a dark day for me so I am happy

to be back having been fully exonerated. I am pleased the

committee have agreed with the commissioner. I am disappointed

about the length of time it has taken but I am pleased with the

result. You are exonerated as fine as the 12 complaints are concerned

but the Stormont is committee does store attention to what it sees as

senior shortfalls in your part in terms of your conduct in a number of

areas. Not really, to be honest, the committee have missed the point that

a lot of the allegations were found as a matter of fact by the

Commissioner to be falsified. The honesty of people making statements

was not correct so it is not that I would not take advice from them but

there is a conspiracy and their Commissioner has drawn attention to

that. The committee, for example in relation to number seven which was a

complaint about bullying and members of staff, was concerned about the

way you spoke to a member of staff. Sometimes the way you spoke to staff

is falling short of what they would encourage? If you believe that is

what happened, of course it is not good reading but the point is

although statements were found to be incorrect. The lady in question was

found to have lied under oath and would have been reported for perjury

had she still been residents. I do not think the committee got the key

message which was this was a series of false allegations. The

Commissioner said, it is hard to think of any explanation and I do

not believe any account she gave as honest and these photographs have

been doctored. This lady has lied under oath. I do not accept there

was a serious shortcoming. There was one issue which was to do with

shouting at a member of staff and I apologised. We sorted that out and

she remains in my employment. The committee looks in detail at the

report of the Commissioner, it agrees entirely with each of the

conclusions as far as the 12 complaints are concerned but goes on

to make additional points, for example in terms of dealing with

staff the committee points out that on several occasions you could have

handled office politics better, treated staff with more respect and

handled situations more appropriately. That is still a

criticism aimed at you even though the 12 complaints were not upheld.

First of all, it is a long way from the serious allegations that were

made, but I took four you stick photographs. The photographs relate

to complaint number four. If you are taking multiple photographs of

people and storing them on a work computer, it is advisable to tell

those people. You had not done that. Actually I tell everybody that when

I take a photograph on my Apple Computer and the automatically

uplifted to the cloud. So that criticism is not valid? Absolutely

not. I protect myself because all photographs are uploaded and stored.

Of course members of my staff would have access to the password because

they are dealing with social media. This is a Stormont committee which

is making these criticisms and you say you do not accept them, do you

simply ignore them? I am happy to take on whatever advice people give

me. Look at what I have had in the last two years, of course you have

to change your behaviour. But I am making the point that people missed

completely the point about the allegations. Let me quote from what

was said by the Commissioner, he came across evidence of quarter

nation of the complaints and some of those who made allegations saw this

as a means to force his resignation as party leader. That is what the

Commissioner said and that is in the report. The most serious allegation

made against you is complaint number nine which concerns alleged sexual

misconduct towards someone who worked for the party. The committee,

commenting on the Commissioner's findings, says that you exercised

poor judgment, allowing young women into your hotel rooms. Do you except

that criticism? The fact was we were at a two-day conference, staying

overnight. She was not staying overnight. But at about five

o'clock, we had to work with computers somewhere. There was a

period of time between finishing work and having dinner. I have to

use my behaviour in that I will no longer go anywhere unaccompanied but

let me make it clear, there was no wrongdoing. There were four

different versions of her story. If there was any problem, they should

have gone to the police. I can tell you categorically that I have never

at any time been under suspicion of any crime whatsoever. I have read

through the reports today and this transcript of your interview with

the Commissioner, we are talking about an eight -- and evening in

April 20 13th when you spent time in your hotel room with this young

women. The Commissioner asked you about when you were in the room

alone with Ashley Murray and you said, there was no wrongdoing.

Nothing that happened to be considered to be wrong, that is all

I can tell you about that. What did happen in that room this evening? I

have been totally open and honest. The issue about whether I was acting

as an MLA or not is important because the Commissioner found on

several occasions, including that incident that I was not acting as an

MLA so what that means as I could have involved some sort of legal

proceeding to say this was not a matter for the Commissioner or the

committee, it is outside your remit. I did not do that, I insisted all of

those issues were published... That means it is reasonable for people to

ask you what you did for a two hours inside Out room with that girl.

Because there was nothing to detail. But there is, you said is important

for people to know that you did not do anything wrong but you will not

tell them what you don't. There was nothing untoward, a discussion about

the party, we were filling time. We talked about a robin match. We were

just discussing matters. I will make this point strongly, do not look

away... I am not. I could have stopped that investigation because

it was outside the re-met but I did not. I wanted to have full

unredacted publication. It is disappointing to me that something

is where a redacted. They should not have been, they should have been

out. All of the evidence about what that person said has been found to

be inconsistent. She has been found to have lied on other issues, she is

an unreliable witness and there are other things which the committee and

the Commissioner are aware of what has been redacted which I cannot

talk about and if I could, it would explain a lot. Just to be clear, the

original complete -- complaints by Ashley Murray was that you made an

inappropriate sexual advance towards her, that was not upheld by the

Commissioner but it is fair to ask yourself where you acting

responsibly to put yourself in a potentially compromising position?

It was not a separate allegation, there were four different versions.

Moving from rubbing shoulders to something much more insidious. If

there was any suggestion of wrongdoing that should've been taken

to the police. I categorically deny there was any wrongdoing. If there

is any criminal activity, that is what should have happened. If you

asked me because I am in open and inclusive person, do I wish I had

done something different? Of course I do. Did you have a consensual

sexual relationship with Ashley Murray? Have you not read the

statements? Ashley Murray says repeatedly... I am not asking you

what she said, I am asking you did you have a consensual sexual

relationship with Ashley Murray? I refer you to the text. Just answered

the question. Please let me. I am trying and you interrupted. Let me

say categorically Ashley Murray has made clear repeatedly there was no

sexual activity. You have just told me she is an unreliable witness so I

am not to believe what she said. Now I am to believe her when she says

there was no sexual relationship. Never mind what she said, you have

dealt with that, I am asking you a straightforward question and I would

appreciate a straightforward and so, did you have, at any stage, a

consensual sexual relationship with Ashley Murray? The way I have to

respond to this... Is yes or no? You keep interrupting me. Let me make it

clear, these things are difficult and embarrassing... You either don't

have a sexual relationship or you didn't. I will take a yes or no, it

is not complicated. I am going to finish the sentence. I was fully

open and compliant with the Commissioner. I need all information

available, I did so on the basis that I wanted people to have an open

and transparent view about what went on regarding those allegations. I am

not going through the same process again. I am not going to be

investigated twice by you. I did everything in my power to make that

information available. I have been compliant. If you think I'm going to

go down a second interrogation, you are wrong. So are -- so you are not

prepared to answer that straightforward question? Viewers

can draw their own conclusions. I cannot understand why you will not

answer. If you did not have a consensual sexual relationship, why

would you not just say, now I did not? The reason is there are series

of allegations that are made right the way through, if you start to

pick one question, then you will say what about this... You do not think

that is an important question that our viewers deserve to know the

answer to? If it is important, then answered it. You have refused to

answer. Let me explain to you as best I can, I may not be doing this

adequately, why do you look exasperated? I am looking at my

notes. I am happy to sit here as long as it takes. I have explained

the position but you as me why I don't want to get into certain

issues. I ask due why he will not answer that question. I am talking

about the other issues in place. There were a number of serious

allegations which were put forward. All of them are embarrassing. All of

them are things which I dealt with fully and openly in the appropriate

way. I am not going to go down through, did you do this or that. It

has been fully investigated and I have been vindicated, exonerated on

all 12 cases. I have cooperated with the police on other issues. I have

given as much information as I can to the Commissioner and it has all

been published. But when the Commissioner perceived that

question, I read the transcript in detail and you did not give him a

straight answer. So you have not at any stage answered that straight

question. Did you or did you not have a consensual relationship with

Ashley Murray? Yes Do I cannot answer that question. I

do not know if you have got this point. I did not have to go through

this. This was finding to be when I was not acting as an MLA, I could

have stopped this stone dead, that you cannot investigate... But it was

investigated and the question was asked and I ask it again. I told you

it was fully investigated, I was fully vindicated, she was fine to

have lied on numerous occasions, that is a lot of evidence from other

people, you are missing the point, the important issue is it is a

conspiracy and that woman was used as a pawn by other people. Let's

talk about where this leaves your political career and where it leaves

NI21? In the gutter, is the answer? It is a party whose only elected

member, McCarthy, migrated to the SDLP last month. You are a member of

NI21 but were not elected as a member, will you hold your seat in

the Assembly election in May? I don't know. Is it wise to stand

under the NI21 and Bella? I will stand under that umbrella. When it

was from there were great hopes, a lot of positivity around it. It is

unfortunate what happened. The fact that the party imploded one day

before the election was a great disappointment to many of the people

that stood but the values and principles of what NI21 stood for I

think resonated with the people and will still resonate. The words you

used was imploded, so we have does that leave the party today? It is a

brand. It leaves the party with me standing in Lagan Valley as a member

of the NI21 party. I will not be asking anybody else to do that and,

in terms of other constituencies, and the reason for that is because I

couldn't do it without having cleared my name. At I had this

report published in October, when I first got it, I would have had time

to do so. But let me tell you this clearly I stand having been totally

vindicated by a review of the Commissioner and my peers.

Basil McCrea, determined to get his political career

The Labour Party in Northern Ireland has quadrupled in size

But they now face the task of trying to persuade their own party

leadership to allow them to run in elections here.

The life peer, Baroness Blood, has told The View she'd think

about resigning the Labour whip if the issue isn't resolved.

Our Political Correspondent, Chris Page, has been investigating

and remembering the often forgotten history of Labour politics here.

Belfast was a boom town as the 19th century turned into the 20th but

long days and heavy work not new political demands and across the UK

Labour candidates were beginning to stand and in Belfast they did well.

In fact, the Labour movement was so strong here that Belfast played a

key role in the birth of the UK Labour Party, 109

key role in the birth of the UK city hosting a highly significant

meeting. It was in the city of Belfast that the Labour Party called

itself that. Previously it was called Labour Representative

committee, representing a lot of different organisations, but in

Belfast, it declared itself a political party, it would fight

seats and not go into coalition with the Liberals. But the strong link

was broken between Labour activists here and the National party and

nonetheless the labour movement continued and candidates at

electoral successes particularly in the 1920s, 1940s and early 1960s. In

places like North, West and East Belfast, they could have 30% of the

vote. The Labour Party always flourished when sectarian tensions

were at their lowest. All you needed was a home-grown crisis and that

knocked out things. Such as the world -- around the First World War,

then the partition in 19 18th split the Labour Party in Northern Ireland

wide open. And the Republic of Ireland can cause problems. But the

moment the present troubles came, they could not hack it, they found

it very difficult to find a constituency, people ran to their

tribal basis. For many years the UK Labour Party resisted requests from

people here to be allowed to Labour Party resisted requests from

back in 2003 the change was footed through at this conference. The

local party have still not been allowed to field election candidates

but are making a fresh push ahead of the Assembly election. In the

Belfast Telegraph -- in the Belfast Telegraph today they highlighted the

keys to Labour HQ. What we are faced Telegraph today they highlighted the

with is a sectarian stalemate, people continually

frustration at the stalemate, frustration at the slow working of

frustration at the stalemate, positions taken up

frustration at the stalemate, forward a proposal to break this

stalemate, by running cross community Labour candidates, we find

we are blocked and suppressed. community Labour candidates, we find

Baroness Blood is a community Labour candidates, we find

one of several hundred people who community Labour candidates, we find

have signed petition asking the Labour leadership to allow

candidates to run. We should have the opportunity

candidates to run. We should have and it annoys me that we don't

candidates to run. We should have all my life and people should have

that opportunity. If it is not resolved which she resigned the

Labour whip? I would think about it but it is a strong possibility and

at the moment I am the only Northern Ireland Labour Party member in

there, so that would be something I would have to think about.

there, so that would be something I Previously the reasons Labour have

given for Previously the reasons Labour have

there which have included the party's relationship with the SDLP

but every five years they must review this refusal. We have said

all along this is a matter for the National

all along this is a matter for the London, they have set up a process,

to involve discussions with the Northern Ireland Labour Party, but

also the Irish Labour Party, the SDLP, and trade unions, a process

that the NEC have set up to look at that and a matter for them, not me.

The NEC have confirmed the review is ongoing at the moment and the local

party have more than 20 potential Assembly candidates short listed but

they believe it is not likely they will get the go-ahead from London.

The old industries which provided Labour politicians with there have

lines decades ago have largely gone but the issues for working people

are actually similar now. -- provided politicians with their

heartlands. But the campaign will continue.

So, after five days of counting, the Republic of Ireland has had

all its TDs returned, but there's still no sign

Predictions range from a second election just around the corner,

to a Fianna Fail arrangement, where the party not only offers

support to a minority Fine Gael-led government,

from Dublin by the Fianna Fail TD, Thomas Byrne.

And with me in studio is the newly-returned

Fine Gael was invited to take part, but we were told

You are both welcome to the programme. Thomas Byrne, you and

Fianna Fail are trying to have your cake and eat it, Alan Shearer? No,

we are the only party setting out how we will address the next few

weeks. -- we need to give all 100 and 58 members -- we need to get all

members a chance, but they are largely silent at the moment because

of archaic rules. We are looking crucially at the vote for Taoiseach

next Thursday. Enda Kenny will be one of the candidates. There is a

choice before next week. We have opened up lines of key medication

with smaller parties and independents to see about support

for the role of Taoiseach. Let's be honest you want to be a major

oppositional voice, you will not back a proper coalition of Fianna

Fail and Fine Gael, but you might be prepared to back them in government

as a minority administration? Make up your mind! We have been cleared

through the election and the attitude of the pundits of great

about Fianna Fail was wrong, we were told they would be irrelevant to the

election, then we would not have success, and it was inevitable that

Fine Gael would win, but look what happened. We have put her manifesto

on the table, the commitments we have put to the people, we believe

Enda Kenny has been rejected for Taoiseach, and we support Maarten.

After that, and after they get -- after that, we can look at a real

government being formed. What do you think will happen? I think it is

highly unlikely anyone will be elected Taoiseach next week. What we

are seeing over the last couple of days is both Fianna Fail and Fine

Gael trying to maximise their advantage and what will be some kind

of arrangement between the parties. I don't think either knows what

shape that will be. It must be very frustrating for you in Sinn Fein not

to have done well enough to be the king makers and all of this. Either

party going to use still would not be a majority and past the magic

number of 79 to form a coalition, if you could persuade either to work

with you which would have said they don't want to do. I'd be made it

clear we would not support a coalition led by either party. The

question is largely irrelevant. We outlined in the election for people

who are fed up by government led by either Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. But

we did not get that mandate. People talk to colleagues from other

parties at the weekend and work out a way forward. At this point it

seems the only realistic prospect of a government is some kind of

arrangement between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. And you must be annoyed

that Fianna Fail is trying to be the main voice of opposition and on your

patch? The interesting thing is Fianna Fail are trying to be both

government and opposition at the same time, which is their

difficulty. Sinn Fein had a good election, we took ten extra seats,

in my own constituency we took about 29% of the vote. We had a good

election. But I like to sit here with a greater percentage and more

seats? Of course. But Sinn Fein set out or stall, outlined to the

electorate what we would do and the one thing we were clear about was

promises we made and once we will keep. Thomas Byrne, your party

colleague, Willie O D, said people who voted for him wanted Fine Gael

voted out, so how can you do any kind of deal that would see our Fine

Gael administration come through? -- Willie O'Dea. That is why we said we

would not support any coalition. But you could end up supporting Fine

Gael. I want to make one point clear, Sinn Fein are not encroaching

on our territory, we want to lead government not opposition. They are

not encroaching on any territory. I know you had a pretty good election

and that Fine Gael did not have the greatest but Enda Kenny has six more

than Maarten and more chance of him being Taoiseach than Mr Martin.

There were some independence from the Fianna Fail gene pool. You are a

long way off of 79. The target for next Thursday is nobody will be

elected Taoiseach with the majority of votes, but Martin has set out his

policy. And how the government is run. He has shown leadership on

that, not sat back and said no, got right in there and he would be a

candidate for Taoiseach next week and the part for reform he has set

out with the four Eddie government and no government wants to lose

power. She has shown leadership on that. And I think that it could well

be a case of yet another surprise in store for Fianna Fail, we have been

written off so many times including during the campaign, and told we

should not be there, we should just close up and here we are, and our

candidate has shown himself to write the campaign to be the practical and

realistic candidate to Enda Kenny. Many people with agree with the

assessment from Thomas Byrne. Martin has been matured about this and

evidence that he has wrong-footed not just Sinn Fein but Fine Gael and

other parties? What that means is we are going to

have shadow-boxing between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for two weeks.

There are two choices available at this point in time, either both

parties make an arrangement with each order -- other or become back

to another election. I know that is no appetite out there for a second

election. From Sinn Fein's point of view, there are number of issues

which whoever comes in to government urgently needs to address. A huge

housing crisis, health crisis and significant numbers of unemployment

and youth unemployment. Most people out there do not want to seek

shadow-boxing and modest levels of political reform but credible

solutions to these problems. Sinn Fein obviously has some solutions in

relation to those. If any government brings forward sensible proposals to

address these proposals, we will support them. On an issue by issue

basis if it is in the interests of those we represent. I do not think

Fianna Fail are really... That is remarkable. You stood against

austerity during the election but you have just said if any

government, acts and away you could support, you would that support.

What would your voters make of that, with a feel betrayed? We had the

march of equality, the children's rights referendum... The hours of

the issues we're looking at. If any party whose legislation front of the

Dail, like tackling the housing crisis or their health system

crisis, even in opposition constructively we would support

them. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have damaged the economy and we think

they will continue to do the same if they get back into office. Quick

final question, Michael Noonan, Sinn Fein, said another election looks

inevitable, is he writes? It is a possibility. We all have a prop --

the responsibility to try and solve our problems. Our manifesto was

comprehensive, we want to get into government to resolve those

problems. At the moment it is not possible for an opposition party to

resolve the water charges because the Dail has standing orders. We all

must take on responsibility of solving the problems of this

country. Fascinating situation, we will keep a close eye on it.

And it's all change in Commentators' Corner tonight as we welcome back

the two amigos - Alex Kane and Paul McFadden.

Let us talk about the interview the beginning of the pro-gram. Basil

McCrea says it has been a tough two years but he standing again under

the NI21 banner, is at the end of the road for his party? I think

probably. You cannot reinvent a party with one candidate. I think

you said earlier in the week about support, but you need candidates in

other constituencies. I find it extraordinary for a party which says

it still has support and members, it will have to say, if you believe we

will come back, you will have to stand. They will need more than six

candidates. They do not get the funding if you do not have a group

of candidates. What did you make of what Basil McCrea had to say

tonight? Basalt topped the pollen Lagan Valley last time around. --

Basil McCrea topped the pollen. I would be amazed if he topped it this

time around. It is a party on a downward trajectory and I suspect it

is plummeting after tonight. The last ten or 12 hours have been a

roller-coaster of a red for a Basil McCrea. He was exonerated by the

Commissioner and the report was published but that interview this

evening made for a very uncomfortable viewing. We have to

accept that the voters will make their decision in Lagan Valley and

elsewhere. He is not standing elsewhere. But elsewhere in the

future if the party fields candidates again which is what he

says will happen after me, presumably if he is returned. As I

said, John McCarthy has gone to the SDLP. Is that the end of NI21? He

cannot leave it like that will stop if he does not get elected NI21 does

not exist. At least if there are other candidates, they can say we

can rebuild with another leader but if he loses, the whole project is

dead and it will be killed off for the generation, any new party. The

Labour party in Northern Ireland, to stand or not stand candidates? I am

not at all sure. I can understand why Baroness Blood would want the

opportunity to vote for Labour candidates hear but I cannot imagine

that the Labour party at headquarters level would be keen to

do it. Members hear clearly feel passionately that they should. They

should be allowed to stand, Sinn Fein standard broadsides of the

border. Fianna Fail are planning to build, they said. Ukip is growing so

it is ridiculous against that background to say to Labour, who had

people who are willing to stand, I am sorry we are excluding that. That

is absurd. Development in the north-west, Gregory Campbell has

said he will not stand again for the Assembly, he will concentrate on

Westminster, I use a prize? Not entirely. -- are you surprised? He

said wherever Sinn Fein are, he will be there to challenge them so I am

surprised about the Westminster option as there is no Sinn Fein in

the chamber whereas at Stormont he queued at engage them. So a little

bit surprised but not that he opted for Westminster. Was there any real

doubt that would be his decision? Not really. You can always rely on

Gregory. I will take the quick yes or no, action in the south soon? Not

in the near future. -- election. I think there will be one quicker than

they think. That's about it from

The View for this week. Join me for Sunday Politics

at 11.35 here on BBC One. For some, the Republic's election

was Independents' Day, and one pair of non-party candidates

in particular caught our eye. So we've unapologetically borrowed

a key plank of their campaign strategy - one they adapted

from the Marty Mone original. They have an astonishing machine

down there.