Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“Later today in the Assembly I will introduce a further Private Member’s Bill.
“The Political Appointments Bill will seek to remove from the Education Authority and the Policing Board any members, nominated to those positions by their political party, who have serious criminal convictions.
“Using the same approach as in my first successful PMB, the Civil Service (Special Advisers) (NI) Act 2013, it will permit such persons to only retain their positions if an independent panel finds they have shown contrition, assisted the police and their victims are content.
“Early in 2021 the nominating officer of Sinn Fein appointed, pursuant to Schedule 1 of the Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014, a person to serve on the Education Authority who has serious criminal convictions. This appointment to the Education Authority revived the controversy about such nominations and the lack of restraint in respect of same where the gift of appointment lies in the nominating officer of a political party. A victim of the person appointed to the Education Authority publicly articulated his objections and other victims of terrorism and politicians echoed his concerns. The fact that such a facility of appointment equally exists for The Northern Ireland Policing Board also brought appointments to that authority into renewed focus.
“The Education Minister also criticised the appointment and publicly declared his desire to amend the law to prevent such appointments. However, proposed departmental legislation requires the approval of the Northern Ireland Executive. Accordingly, no such legislation has yet materialised.
“Now, I am moving to take action on this matter. Once more the Assembly will be given the choice of supporting the victims or the victim-makers.
“I trust I will have the support of all democrats.”