Basil McCrea 'did not breach Stormont code of conduct'

In 2014, Mr McCrea confirmed he was facing allegations of inappropriate sexual activity, which he denied

The Assembly Standards Commissioner, Douglas Bain, is understood to have cleared the NI21 leader, Basil McCrea, of breaching the Stormont code of conduct.

The Lagan Valley MLA faced allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards staff members.

He always denied any wrongdoing.

The complaints emerged in 2014, on the eve of the European and council elections.

The Irish News reported the standards commissioner's conclusion on Thursday.

BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport said: "In 2014, the furore over the allegations contributed to a split in the fledgling NI21 party, which pitted Mr McCrea against his deputy leader, South Down MLA John McCallister.

South Down MLA John McCallister left NI21 in the wake of the allegations

"A lengthy report is expected to be published in March.

"It is believed some of the personal details contained in a draft report may be withheld from the published version.

"The commissioner is thought to have dismissed the allegations against Mr McCrea and also noted that the NI21 leader was not acting in his capacity as an MLA during some of the incidents under investigation."

The Irish News quotes Mr McCrea as saying that, because of legal restrictions pending the report's publication, he is unable to comment.

However, the NI21 leader added: "I look forward to being in a position when I can talk freely about it in the not too distant future".