The author of the Denis Naughten broadband report has admitted the ex-minister's multiple meetings with bidder David McCourt broke the rules "in the strictest sense" - but has denied any wrongdoing took place. Peter Smyth also said he never met Mr Naughten or Mr McCourt during his investigation and did not ask them for sworn statements on what their multiple meetings involved. However, when the TD said the public cannot be expected to believe in "fairy tales", Mr Smyth said: "Do I agree breach of rules in strict sense? Mr Smyth separately defended his conclusions no wrongdoing took place relating to the meetings between Mr Naughten and Mr McCourt by saying his investigation had found the process was not tainted. Mr Smyth was told by a number of communications committee members of their concerns with the information provided.

Source: Evening echo December 06, 2018 18:45 UTC