NT's anti-corruption watchdog has been cleared of a corruption claim, but criticised for workplace issues. 

The NT’s ICAC Inspector, Bruce McClintock, launched an investigation into the Office of the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) after a worker complained about an external investigator who was in a relationship with a senior staffer.

Mr McClintock’s report says the complainant claimed ICAC investigations director Kate Kelly allocated a disproportionate amount of investigative work to her partner, David McGinlay.

But he went on to dismiss these claims, saying he was “satisfied that the conflict of interest, if any, was recognised and appropriately managed”.

“On the evidence I have examined, Ms Kelly had neither any role nor any influence in the selection of Mr McGinlay as an external contractor to the OICAC,” Mr McClintock stated.

“Further, it is obvious that the potential conflict was recognised at the appropriate time and managed appropriately.”

However, the inspector also detailed Mr a “series of complaints from [ICAC] employees” about other workplace issues.

Workers described instances of “bullying and intimidation” and said they feared “retribution” for speaking out.

Those issues have been referred to the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment (OCPE) because they were outside the inspector’s remit.