A major investment fund says NAMA still wanted to sell it its Northern loans, even after finding out about a controverisal fixer’s fee for a former advisor.

Pimco says NAMA still wanted to go ahead with the Project Eagle sale, even after being told of the fees due to Frank Cushnahan.

NAMA has previously said it immediately ruled Pimco out of the process after learning about the £5m fee.

But Pimco has now told the Public Accounts Committee it told NAMA about the fee simply to make sure it was aware.

And it says NAMA still floated the prospect of the deal going ahead – but that Pimco voluntarily withdrew from the process.