Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“Today’s belated Standards report on Iris and Peter Robinson – much delayed by manoeuvrings by interested parties – into this unseemly business, is by its very nature limited in its scope, because it can only look at the behaviour of the Mr Robinson as an MLA and not as a minister and whether or not the ministerial code was infringed.
“Herein, by design, is one of the great flaws in Stormont executive accountability. The Standards Commissioner cannot examine whether a minister breached the ministerial code. In fact, and to the great shame of Stormont, there is no procedure to investigate or determine breaches of the ministerial code. This is confirmed in the Assembly Answers below. Moreover, the First Minister and deputy First Minister are very content with this situation, as is clear from their refusal to plug this gap ( as evidenced in AQW 13426/1-15 below).
“I am surprised by Mr Robinson’s contention that the breaches of the Code by Mrs Robinson were not serious. The Committee has rightly concluded they were.”
AQW 13425/11-15
Mr Jim Allister
Traditional Unionist Voice
North Antrim
Tabled Date: 29/06/2012
Answered On Date: 16/07/2012
Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what mechanisms exist to deal with alleged breaches of the Ministerial Code, including how they are investigated and by whom.
Answer:
The Ministerial Code does not specify any procedure to be followed in relation to the investigation or determination of breaches of the Ministerial Code, nor does it assign any role to us in the matter. Section 28A of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires Ministers to act in accordance with the provisions of the Ministerial Code and any alleged breach of the Code could be decided as a matter of law.
In addition, the Northern Ireland Act makes provision for failure by a Minister to observe the terms of the Pledge of Office to be the subject of a motion for a resolution of the Assembly. Such a motion can be moved jointly by us, or by an MLA with the support of 29 other Members.
AQW 13426/11-15
Mr Jim Allister
Traditional Unionist Voice
North Antrim
Tabled Date: 29/06/2012
Answered On Date: 16/07/2012
Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether they have any plans to review the mechanisms that exist to deal with alleged breaches of the Ministerial Code.
Answer:
We have no plans for such a review. Apart from the courts, the ultimate authority for breaches of the Ministerial Code resides with Members and the Assembly.