Aubrey McCrory, who as Assistant Information Commissioner for Northern Ireland was the most senior official from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the Province, was removed from his role last May.

Since then he has remained on full pay – reportedly more than £50,000 per year – while the ICO investigates his conduct.

The office yesterday said it was still investigating Mr McCrory’s conduct.

Mark Wallace, who as campaign director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance pressure group makes numerous FoI requests, called on the ICO to “resolve this case swiftly and restore a decent service to the people of Northern Ireland”.

He said: “Not only is this costing taxpayers money, including his (Mr McCrory’s) salary, but there is a real danger that the crucial administration of FoI is suffering.”

Mr McCrory’s post commands a maximum salary of £58,650.

A spokeswoman at the ICO confirmed the Mr McCrory remained suspended but gave little detail about what stage its investigation was at.

“We can confirm that Aubrey McCrory, Assistant Commissioner for Northern Ireland, has been suspended on full pay pending an internal investigation into some allegations concerning his conduct,” she said.

“We stress that this suspension is a neutral act, with no presumption of guilt or innocence. To avoid prejudicing the investigation, we will offer no further information at this stage.”