Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“I am disappointed that my attempt to raise the expenses scandal exposed last week on the BBC’s Spotlight programme, as an urgent matter today, was blocked.
“Public confidence in Stormont is at rock bottom. I do not believe that refusing to allow time to discuss this matter will do anything to restore it.
“This is a serious issue which people throughout Northern Ireland are discussing whenever local politics comes up in conversation. The only place where it cannot be debated today is Stormont.
“Undaunted, though, I did raise the subject in a Point of Order at the start of business. Once more, TUV is the only party on the record in Assembly as having anything to say about this scandal.”