The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) was accused today of plotting to mask the introduction of water charges with inflated increases in regional rates in the year before they come in.
Mr Peter Robinson
Mr Peter Robinson, deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, said he had seen a copy of a leaked letter between Secretary of State Paul Murphy and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Paul Boateng that showed ministers were trying to "pull the wool over people's eyes".
He said the letter showed "they are going to artificially hike our regional rate" so the introduction of water charging the following year would be "somewhat ameliorated".
Mr Robinson said it was a "deceitful attempt to artificially increase our rates that is tantamount to theft because they are taking money at a time when there is no purpose for that money other than to have a smooth transition to a higher figure the following year".
The East Belfast MP commented: "I think this is probably the most cynical exercise we have seen this Government involved in."
He said the letter also showed the current public consultation on the introduction of water charges was "an absolute fraud".
He said it also showed the Government was keeping open the option of privatisation for the water service at some time in the future, despite overwhelming public and local political opposition to the move.
The NIO said no decision had been taken on rate increases. It added that a proposal was due next month and there would be consultation before any final decision was taken.
PA