To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why his Department gave prior approval to the Northern Ireland Police Fund to make a severance payment to Mr. Desmond Clayton. (119339)

The Department considered the issue carefully, drawing on its own legal advice and discussing it with the accounting officer. Given the status of the Northern Ireland Police Fund as both a company limited by guarantee and an executive NDPB, matters relating to its operation including payments are a matter for the board of directors of the fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department approved for payment by the Northern Ireland Police Fund by way of severance payment for Mr. Desmond Clayton. (119340)

Given the status of the Northern Ireland Police Fund as both a company limited by guarantee and an executive NDPB, matters relating to its operation including payments are a matter for the board of directors of the fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reason the Northern Ireland Police Fund gave to his Department for its request to approve a severance payment for Mr. Desmond Clayton. (119342)

After careful consideration and legal advice the NIO concluded that the impact on the working relationships between the chief executive, the fund's directors and the clients was such that the work of the fund was likely to have been adversely affected by his continued employment.