PSNI chief disputes prejudice claim over Michael McMonagle

On Tuesday, Sinn Féin’s Economy Minister Conor Murphy was asked why the party did not raise issues with the British Heart Foundation about McMonagle’s subsequent employment, which involved attending events at Stormont.

He said they could not do anything which could “potentially be prejudicial” to the police investigation.

Speaking after the meeting of the board, Trevor Clarke said it was important public representatives made factual comments on issues about safeguarding children.

“Conor Murphy’s extraordinary claims about prejudicing the PSNI investigation now lie in tatters,” he said.

“Conor Murphy should now apologise and make it clear that he accepts what he said was wrong.”

After McMonagle was first arrested in August 2021, he informed Sinn Féin and was suspended from his job. Later his contract of employment ended.

He then took up a position with the British Heart Foundation in September 2022.

The British Heart Foundation said neither of the job references “raised a concern about his [McMonagle’s] suitability for employment or referenced an ongoing police investigation or suspension from his previous employment”.