Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Today after several years campaigning on the issue I was permitted to view the many artefacts and works of art belonging to the Assembly – and thus to the public – which have been hidden away for years in commercial storage, for which the public is paying over £11,000 pa.
“I found nothing offensive or objectionable from which the public must be protected.
“Instead, I saw some marvellous and interesting works of art and historic memorabilia which are part of Northern Ireland’s history and which should be available for any interested member of the public to see. Why should things as varied as portraits of former Prime Ministers of Northern Ireland, a model of Thiepval Tower, various ceremonial items, the stand for the Bell from HMS Ulster and the ceremonial wig of the first Speaker, be hidden away?
“I am renewing my call for the Assembly Commission to establish a permanent exhibition of these items in Parliament Buildings so that any interested member of the public can view them. There are plenty of empty rooms.”