Belfast Telegraph: Disability benefit MLA plays in football match

A DUP politician has defended his involvement in an Assembly football team - while claiming Disability Living Allowance.

East Antrim MLA David Hilditch said he was "like a statue" in the Stormont side which played in an inter-parliamentary tournament in London last weekend.

Mr Hilditch was yesterday fending off criticism of his continued receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), while in his £41,000-a-year elected job.

He said he is paid the benefit, which is not means tested, due to a degenerating bone and joint condition linked to a past sports injury.

"I'm not doing anything I'm not entitled to do. People around my own area know exactly the situation I'm in. They see the condition I'm in.

"I live on a diet of prescribed painkillers and pain-killing injections. "

The DUP man was part of the Assembly squad that took part in a charity politicians' football event in Brunel University, London, last weekend.

He told the Belfast Telegraph he had been on the pitch for "a few minutes" only in two games.

"I just stood like a statue - absolutely useless," he said.

"I went out onto the pitch and stood there, basically. I can't even run.

"It was just a fact of being there and trying to raise money for the charities."

Mr Hilditch said he had "pulled on the kit" and stood for photographs.

"We can't get enough Assembly members to fill the shirts," he added.

"I was there with the other team members to show support and solidarity for good causes."

The annual inter-parliamentary tournament is sponsored by burger chain McDonald's. Politicians taking part are treated to attendance at the Community Shield game which heralds the start of the top-flight English football season.

The Stormont players last weekend defeated a Welsh Assembly side on penalties, but then lost 3-0 to a House of Commons team.

Mr Hilditch and party colleague Allan Bresland have both declared receipt of DLA in the newly published Assembly register of interests.

Mr Bresland, who represents West Tyrone, could not be contacted for comment.

He states in the register that he has been paid the benefit "since retirement on ill-health grounds".

Mr Hilditch yesterday said he has received DLA for "three or four years" , since retiring from his postman's job due to his health.

He said he been "up front and open" in declaring the benefit in the register.

"I want to get on with my life - get out there and try to normalise as much possible, which DLA is meant to do. It's meant to give you that extra bit of help," he added.

The UK-wide Taxpayers' Alliance has questioned the payment of DLA to MLAs.

Spokesman Blair Gibbs said: "Politicians are forever bleating about how demanding their jobs are, so taxpayers might question whether it is credible to be claiming disability benefit while serving as a member at Stormont.

"The pay of politicians at all levels is already very generous, so if our welfare system allows this arrangement we need to reform it."

A spokesman for the Department for Social Development, which administers DLA, said: "It's not means tested and it's available to people in employment. It is Government policy to support people with disabilities into the workplace."