The pressure group Families Against Intimidation and Terror (FAIT) was in crisis yesterday after its director resigned in a bitter internal row. Mr Sam Cushnahan accused the group's main spokesman, Mr Glyn Roberts, of using the position to further his own political career.
Mr Roberts, who unsuccessfully contested the Assembly elections for the Alliance Party, strenuously denied the allegations. "I have always kept what I do with Alliance separate to what I do with FAIT. During the election campaign I took two weeks' leave," he said.
Mr Cushnahan, who is also a member of the Alliance Party, said yesterday: "Glyn shouldn't have been abusing his position in FAIT and should not have been abusing the Alliance Party to promote himself." He accused Mr Roberts of putting himself forward for media interviews rather than allowing victims to speak.
Mr Roberts said speaking to the media was included in his job description. "There is no truth in the allegation that I was hogging all the limelight. Victims often don't want to speak and I can't force them to. There have been times when I asked Sam to do media interviews and he told me that was my job," he added.
A second member of the group's executive committee has also resigned, but Mr Roberts insisted the group would continue with its work in helping victims.
A meeting of members will take place shortly to elect a new committee and the direction of the organisation will be discussed. "We will try to change with the new dispensation. FAIT may need to go through changes to adapt to the new Northern Ireland," Mr Roberts said.
FAIT is state-funded through the Central Community Relations Council and also receives private donations. The group has just one other paid staff member in addition to Mr Roberts. Ms Muriel Martinez issued a statement yesterday saying Mr Roberts had the backing of herself and all the volunteers who work with the organisation.
This is not the first time FAIT has suffered from internal difficulties. The group's founder, Mrs Nancy Gracey, resigned two years ago in a row over expenses irregularities.
"People in the past have aired their dirty linen in public, which has not helped FAIT and has not helped the victims of violence. We will now press ahead with reforms," Mr Roberts said.