Ministerial bullying probe cost taxpayer £7,000

An investigation into a complaint of bullying against the health minister cost the taxpayer more than £7,000.

A Freedom of Information request to the Cabinet Office asked how much it had cost to produce a report into the allegations against Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper and his departmental colleague Tanya August-Hanson MLC.

Lawyer Alan Gough cleared both of bullying, but criticised Mr Hooper's attitude towards the Health Service Consultative Committee.

In its response, the Cabinet Office says the report cost £7,050 to produce.