| Synopsis: |
This report examines conflicts of interest on the part of a senior official in the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) and NITB's subsequent handling of this conflict of interest, leading ultimately to the dismissal of the senior official. A conflict of interest arose during the letting of a marketing support contract, valued at GBP 22,000 net, for a 5 year agreement to manage the trading activities of NITB's subsidiary company, Rural Cottage Holidays Limited, to a company, Travel Solutions. The owner of Travel Solutions was known to the Board's Director of Industry. Development.The rolling nature of further disclosures involving these individuals, and also the Director's wife, placed NITB in an increasingly difficult position. Weaknesses in formal guidance and proper reporting of the position increased the risk of, at worst, impropriety and, at best, reputational damage. The report sets out important lessons for handling potential conflicts of interest relevant to the wider public sector in Northern Ireland. |