Northern Ireland

Jim Allister banned from speaking in assembly for three days for making 'ill-tempered and aggressive' remarks

TUV leader Jim Allister. File picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association
TUV leader Jim Allister. File picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association TUV leader Jim Allister. File picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association

TUV Jim Allister will not be allowed to speak in the Assembly for three days after speaker Alex Maskey found he had made "ill-tempered and aggressive" remarks during debates.

The veteran politician was sanctioned after the Speaker said he had demonstrated "unacceptable behaviour".

On Monday, Mr Allister strongly criticised Mr Maskey and the assembly commission's decision not to approve a unionist proposal for a stone at Stormont to mark Northern Ireland's centenary this year.

When challenged by Mr Allister about the decision yesterday, the Speaker warned that he could impose a longer speaking ban.

"I can add to that (the three-day suspension), don't tempt me," Mr Maskey said.

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In a statement, Mr Allister questioned the speaking ban and described the decision not to approve a centenary stone as "disgraceful".

He said the ban was partly based on claims that he interrupted Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw while she was speaking on March 8.

Mr Allister insisted he did not interrupt Ms Bradshaw and was simply talking to DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley - for which he apologised.

"I cannot think of any member ever being disciplined for conducting a conversation too loudly – rebuked yes, but not disciplined," he said.

He added: "While the Speaker’s ruling is mandatory, I regret that my constituents are to be punished in this way, but assure them that while I might be silenced for three days in the chamber, their voice and opinions will be heard."

Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alex Maskey MLA. File picture by Michael Cooper
Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alex Maskey MLA. File picture by Michael Cooper Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alex Maskey MLA. File picture by Michael Cooper

On Monday, Mr Allister described the assembly commission's decision not to approve a centenary stone as "an embarrassment for you - it's a shame, it's an absolute shame that the centenary of Northern Ireland, by virtue of a commission that you chair, is denied to be celebrated".

He also claimed the assembly commission was "unfair - it's a scandal".

Mr Maskey responded: "Mr Allister do not accuse this speaker of being unfair or of abusing my position - I advise you not to do that".

He said that the commission - which is made up of five parties - works hard to reach agreement, adding: "I will not have them insulted in this chamber so I am not raising any other discussion on this issue".

Mr Allister also referred to Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon as a "little Irelander" because she rejected suggestions of a 'Boris burrow' tunnel or bridge between the north and Scotland as a "vanity project".

Ms Mallon’s party colleague Mark H Durkan demanded an apology from Mr Allister and described his remarks as "insulting and inflammatory".

In his statement yesterday, Mr Allister claimed that Sinn Féin MLAs including Martina Anderson, Pat Sheehan and Emma Sheerin made "bellicose and ill-tempered speeches" during Monday's debate on flags and emblems.

Mr Maskey told the Assembly he would review language used by several MLAs during Monday's debates and decide if further action was needed.

"It is not necessary for members to express their own views in a way which would be clearly inflammatory to other members," he said.