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The controversy involves scrutiny over clothing expenses claimed by Audrey Wales, who served as mayor from 2016 to 2017. Wales, an 80-year-old councillor from Ballymena, reportedly spent over £2,300 on clothing. However, the full amount was not initially disclosed by the council when details were requested through a Freedom of Information (FoI) request. Instead, a 2019 response from the council stated that Wales had only spent £190.
It was not until a second FoI request in 2022 that the total expenditure came to light. Following this, Wales issued a statement explaining that she had sent a cheque in 2019 to reimburse most of the amount to the council, aiming to avoid what she described as “electorally motivated questions.” Although the cheque was received by council official Donaghy, it was never cashed. Upon discovering this, Wales sent a second cheque in 2021. She maintained that throughout the process she acted in accordance with the guidance provided by council staff.
In 2022, the council commissioned an investigation by a Belfast-based firm, which concluded that the council’s FoI response had involved “a deliberate manipulation,” according to documents leaked to the Belfast Telegraph. Donaghy has denied involvement in discussions about the FoI request and stated that an email she sent concerning the cheque indicated her intention to cash it. Meanwhile, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed ongoing inquiries into suspected offences related to misconduct in public office and breaches of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
An update from the PSNI to BBC News NI revealed that a file regarding the investigation was submitted to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in January 2025. This file relates to three individuals, two females aged 56 and 42 and a 57-year-old man, with allegations including misconduct in public office. The PPS has declined to comment on details of the evidence while it remains under review. This investigation follows the recent conviction of Donaghy, who was fined £1,500 for two charges tied to deleting or attempting to delete an email to obstruct disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act; she was acquitted of a third related charge
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