I’m a victim, says Hughes

Sean Hughes also branded allegations by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) that he has owns several properties bought by laundering the proceeds of mortgage fraud, tax evasion and benefit fraud as “ridiculous”.

“I own two houses - a Housing Executive property, which I lived in for many years and later bought, and a new home, which I recently built on the family farm and which was paid for by remortgaging the first property,” he said.

“I’m a farmer and have no other income. My books are available for anyone to see.

“This is clearly a politically motivated assault on me and my family. Indeed when I remonstrated to a man who was raiding my home - literally taking away van loads of farming paperwork in an effort to bankrupt me - he told me that it was payback time.

“There is no reason for SOCA to carry out this investigation other than to sensationalise the issue.

“This is a mortgage issue and should be dealt with by the mortgage company, Inland Revenue or by the social welfare agency.” Meanwhile Mr Hughes’ wife Annette has said she has absolutely no intention of resigning her position as an independent member of the District Policing Partnership (DPP).

She said no-one would deter her from carrying out her work.

“Even in this new period of policing in south Armagh it has been used and abused to harass and intimidate people of this area,“ said Mrs Hughes.

“Recent raids such as that on my home have been heavy-handed and disproportionate.

“Many PSNI officers are more interested in settling old scores than delivering a proper policing service to our community.”

But the new chairman of the District Policing Partnership, William Burns said: “I don’t think that her position can be considered tenable in light of these very public developments.

“She has been named and has had her assets frozen by the security forces of Northern Ireland.”

“Nobody is above the law and that includes DPP members.”

Mr and Mrs Hughes had their assets frozen following a police raid on their home. Assets frozen include eight houses in south Armagh, an apartment in south Belfast, the proceeds from the sale of three other houses in south Armagh and several bank accounts.

Raid sparks a war of words

THE fallout from the raid on the home of South Armagh man Sean Hughes continues, with political representatives verbally sparring over the situation.

The war of words was sparked when Sinn Fein MP Conor Murphy publicly defended Mr Hughes and claimed he had been “deliberately targeted”.

“The raids on Sean’s home and those of a number of his relatives have caused deep anger in south Armagh,” said Mr Murphy.

“There is no justification for the deliberate targeting of Sean and his family.

“Sean has been charged with nothing. Neither have any members of his family. It is unacceptable.”

SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley promptly hit back, accusing Mr Murphy of selective attacks on police investigations.

“No one should be untouchable or get off the hook because of their political connections,” he said.

“Political interference in police operational decisions must be rejected whether it comes from the DUP or Sinn Fein.

“Conor Murphy claims before any evidence has been heard that the investigation is a politically inspired smear.

“That is not the sort of justice we want and it is not the sort we are going to have,” said Mr Bradley.

Unionists, meanwhile, have also weighed in to the debate with calls for Mr Hughes’ wife Annette to resign from the District Policing Partnership.

Newry and Armagh DUP MLA William Irwin said the situation made her position on the DPP untenable.

"Her continued presence would only serve to bring the local policing structures into disrepute," he added.

While Ulster Unionist deputy leader and MLA for Newry and Mourne Danny Kennedy urged her to resign before attempts are made to remove her.

“As a DPP member, Mrs Hughes is charged with scrutinising local policing - this responsibility is totally incompatible with her present circumstances," he said.