WIREDGOV

The Committee on Standards and Privileges yesterday published its report on a complaint made in September 2021 against the then First Minister Paul Givan MLA, Ministers Gordon Lyons MLA, Michelle McIlveen MLA, Edwin Poots MLA and Junior Minister Gary Middleton MLA, alleging that they had breached the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

The complaint was investigated by the independent Assembly Commissioner for Standards, Dr Melissa McCullough, who found that the respondents had breached the Ministerial Code of Conduct in failing to follow the Seven Principles of Public Life at all times.

The Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA said:

“While the current procedures do not provide the Committee with an adjudication role in relation to complaints against Ministers, by publishing this report, the Committee has fulfilled its function in relation to considering and publishing all investigation reports by the Commissioner.

“The Committee’s report, which includes the Commissioner’s investigation report, also explains how it is a matter for the Assembly to consider whether any sanctions should be imposed on the respondents, if the Assembly, in considering the findings of the Commissioner’s report, believes there has been a breach of the Code.”

• View the full report

For media enquiries please contact:

Sinead Murphy

Communications Officer

Northern Ireland Assembly

Mobile: 0789 9864 368

Email: Sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk

Notes to Editor:

View further information on the work of the Committee, including Membership.