Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK has sought legal advice in the light of comments made on Facebook he described as hurtful and unfounded.
Mr Cretney said contributors to a website forum had made comments about ‘brown envelopes’ and ‘bungs’ in relation to the failed negotiations to set up an alternative ferry service.
He said: ‘I am told the comments could be considered defamatory and I would hope editors of websites would be more careful in policing these kinds of things.
‘I know as politicians we are supposed to be thick-skinned but I am someone who has always taken a strong stance on standards in public life. I have played a completely straight bat and tried to do whatever I could to assist.
‘I’m sure the Steam Packet would have wanted us to object but the proposal to use the harbour was legitimate.’
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