A DUP politician sitting on an Assembly body responsible for scrutinising social security payments is due to appear at Belfast Magistrate’s Court today charged with benefit fraud.

East Antrim MLA David Hilditch, who is vice chair of the Stormont Social Development Committee and also sits on the Assembly’s Standards Committee, is denying the charge.

The Assemblyman is accused of failing to inform the Social Security Agency about “improvements” to his condition which would affect his entitlement to Disability Living Allowance.

Last year, the long-serving Carrickfergus councillor hit the headlines after it emerged he had taken part in an inter-parliamentary football tournament in London while receiving DLA.

The DUP man was part of the Assembly’s squad that took part in the charity football event at Brunel University, London.

At the time, Mr Hilditch said he was receiving the benefit, which is not means tested, for a degenerating bone and joint condition linked to a past sports injury.

According to the rules, DLA is a tax-free benefit paid if a person under 65 needs help with personal care, getting around or both. The rate depends on care and mobility requirements.

When questioned about his involvement in the tournament last year, Mr Hilditch fended off criticism, telling this newspaper he hardly moved around on the pitch and was like a “statue”.

However, the Belfast Telegraph understands the media coverage sparked an investigation by the Department for Social Development, and the DUP man was followed around for a considerable period.

Mr Hilditch is part of the Social Development Committee which issued a report on DLA last month which described the system as “flawed” and cited “inconsistencies” in its procedures.

It is understood if he is found guilty he could be forced to repay up to £2,000 — the amount he is accused of falsely claiming.

Last night the Belfast Telegraph contacted the East Antrim MLA about today’s court appearance. He said he was unable to comment on the proceedings for legal reasons, but did say that he would be pleading not guilty.

He explained he had been receiving DLA for a joint condition — osteoarthritis — but had stopped receiving it since February.

“Because it’s going to court, it would not be good for me to say anything at this stage from a legal point of view,” he said. “But I am definitely pleading not guilty. Absolutely. I dispute the charge.”

Despite this Mr Hilditch is likely to face fresh criticism from Assembly colleagues especially in light of his stance on the use of public money. Up until September this year Mr Hilditch sat on the Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which scrutinises the use of taxpayers’ money.

While he was still a member, the PAC issued a report on fraud and error in social security benefits.

In a hearing on the subject earlier this year, Mr Hilditch asked if the penalties being imposed by courts were “a sufficient deterrent to the fraudsters”.