Alliance MP not sure her party's energy spokesman David Honeyford 'fully realised' he was getting paid twice for fuel
The Alliance Party’s Sorcha Eastwood says she understands public anger over taxpayers paying twice for politicians to drive to Stormont, but is not sure that MLAs – including her own party’s energy and consumer affairs spokesman – “fully realised the situation”.
The Lagan Valley MP also claimed her party had been “open and transparent since this came out in the public domain”.
The party declined to answer a series of questions from the News Letter relating to its Lagan Valley MLA David Honeyford’s use of free electric to power his car, while also claiming an allowance which covers fuel.
Alliance initially said the matter is the responsibility of the Assembly Commission and its MLAs “follow its rules” – before later saying money would be paid back.
None of the DUP, Alliance or Ulster Unionist MLAs named by the BBC had spoken publicly until after their names were reported by the Nolan Show.
Since then, there has been no public comment from the DUP’s Pam Cameron or Alliance’s David Honeyford about the matter.
The UUP’s Robbie Butler – who also charged his car for free at Stormont – has said travel expenses are not “direct repayment” of electricity costs.
Last week, Assembly officials confirmed to the News Letter that a travel allowance for MLAs is designed to cover their fuel – despite initially only mentioning “wear and tear of the vehicle, motor tax, insurance, maintenance and depreciation”.
When asked if he wished to clarify his position in light of the Assembly’s clarification, Mr Butler declined.
The Lagan Valley MLA says the expenses are “intended to contribute towards the general costs of travel” – but he has “ceased using the facility” and looks forward to a new policy which “continues to recognise the environmental benefits of EV travel” while also maintaining public confidence.
He said while he has “acted fully within the rules and any benefit received was legitimately accrued”, he is “happy to engage with the Assembly authorities on this matter, including consideration of repaying any benefit deemed appropriate”.
Speaking to the Nolan Show on Monday morning, Sorcha Eastwood was asked for her view on MLAs charging the public to fill up their electric cars.
“I completely understand the public anger around this. I really do, and I think as a party we have been open and transparent since this came out in the public domain”, the Lagan Valley MP said.
Asked if her party colleague David Honeyford – who sits on Stormont’s economy committee which deals with issues like fuel prices – was wrong to have done it, Ms Eastwood said: “I think many people availed of that, and I think maybe had they realised at the time they would have taken a different route”.
In response to presenter Stephen Nolan pointing out they knew they were getting free electricity, the MP said: “The way this system works is that you are given an allowance for your mileage, your wear and tear, all of that.
“I'm not sure that people fully realised the situation, however Stephen, we're politicians, and we're liable to be put in front of the court of public opinion.
“And it's only right and proper that people are asking the questions, that they face scrutiny. We have been absolutely open and transparent, and have answered all questions”, she said.
Asked if her party would say sorry for one of its MLAs taking the free electricity, Ms Eastwood said: “I think that is the right and proper thing to do, and I know David [Honeyford] feels that way too, as do many others probably – had they known what they'd known at the time.
“I completely understand the public frustration around it. It's only right and proper that there is scrutiny. No one has run away from that scrutiny. It's only right and proper that those questions are asked and answered, and we will continue to do so”.
The DUP, UUP and Alliance have said that any of their politicians who charged their cars at free charging stations will reimburse the public.
However, it is unclear how that will be done, as the data held by Assembly officials is wiped after just seven days. The use of the chargers has been suspended by the Assembly Commission, which is now introducing metering and looking at its data retention policy.
Since 2015, politicians, their staff and Assembly officials have been allowed to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) free of charge at parliament buildings, despite members of the public having to pay on the rest of the Stormont estate.
Sinn Fein has said none of their MLAs “uses” the charging points – while the SDLP has none of its representatives have availed of the facilities.