David McConaghie at centre of toilet spy probe

A FREE Presbyterian minister and advisor to DUP MP David Simpson is at the centre of  a police toilet spy probe.

Evangelical David McConaghie, a personal friend of Minister Nelson McCausland, was arrested and quizzed by police over the discovery of a recording device in the toilets of Mr Simpson’s constituency office.

Details of the 47-year-old’s arrest and questioning were revealed in today’s Sun newspaper.

It claimed the recording device found in the toilets was a camera.

McConaghie and Mr McCausland are members of the Caleb Foundation mostly made up of DUP politicians and Free Presbyterian ministers.

He is also a member of the Evangelical Protestant Society (EPS).

McConaghie, who doesn’t have a church, had also been an election agent for David Simpson, the DUP MP for Upper Bann.

His solicitor said: “Mr McConaghie has not been charged with any criminal offence.”

Possible offences could be voyeurism under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 as the toilet is deemed to be a private place.

Mr McConaghie was employed by the party, although he stopped his membership some time ago.

He had trained to become a minister within the Free Presbyterian Church – which was started by the Reverend Ian Paisley – although he has no congregation.

He had previously been a minister in the Elim Pentecostal Church.

The discovery of the recording device, believed to be a camera, was reported to the police by Mr Simpson. The story emerged on Friday morning in the Belfast Telegraph.

Mr McConaghie has also been a member of the Independent Orange Order, and a press officer for the Free Presbyterian Church.

In a statement the police said: “On 25 September, police received a report of an incident at premises in the Thomas Street area of Portadown.

“A 47-year-old male was later arrested and has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.”