Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“I am deeply concerned that a number of Assembly staff have been summarily dismissed because of their use of social media. It is clear to me that the reaction of the Assembly has been totally disproportionate.
“Among the evidence presented against staff are screen shots of retweeted news stories which could be accessed through the internal internet system!
“It is clear that in several of these cases there has been a gross overreaction to social media activity by members of staff.
“While, arguably, the letter of the Assembly’s policy on use of social media may have been breached it obvious that some have been dismissed without so much as a warning, particularly in the absence of any demonstrable harm caused.
“It is easy for the Commission to come down heavily on people who have no public profile and show them the door because they have retweeted something. But the same Commission has a record of gross indifference when it came to the flying of a tricolour from the roof of Parliament Buildings. What a contrast with what happened when serious allegations were made against politicians. It ultimately did nothing when BBC Spotlight exposed misuse of travel expenses and other allowances by MLAs.
“On foot of this I have today tabled the following written question: “To ask the Assembly Commission how many staff have been disciplined in respect of alleged abuse of social media and what is the breakdown in terms of outcome in respect of such actions.”