Gaston comment witness should apologise at Stormont: DUP
A Stormont committee witness heard making a derogatory remark about TUV MLA Timothy Gaston should come back to make a full apology, the DUP has said.
Democratic Unionist MLA Philip Brett stated an apology from Fidelma Fearson would “acknowledge the unacceptable nature of the comments made, and also help reinforce the standards of conduct that all participants in committee proceedings are expected to uphold”, adding that at official hearings: “There can never be any justification for personal insults or derogatory remarks.”
During last Wednesday’s Executive Office committee meeting Ms Fearson, from non-governmental organisation Minority Ethnic Support Armagh, had robust exchanges with Mr Gaston over rioting in Ballymena last year.
Moments after the questioning ended, she was picked up on microphone saying: “I expected it, I knew it was coming – lucky I didn’t get stuck into the b*****d properly.”
Mr Brett, also a member of the committee, doesn’t believe anyone in the room that day heard the comment, but argues Ms Fearson should be invited back before the committee to apologise in person.
“The comments made towards Timothy Gaston during last week’s committee proceedings were wholly unacceptable and fell far below the standards of respect and professionalism that should be expected in any Assembly committee,” the DUP politician told the News Letter.
“Committees play a vital role in scrutinising legislation, holding witnesses to account and ensuring that important issues are debated in a constructive and respectful manner. While robust discussion and differing opinions are an essential part of the democratic process, there can never be any justification for personal insults or derogatory remarks directed at elected representatives or any individual appearing before a committee.
“For that reason, I believe it is entirely appropriate that the witness in question be invited back before the committee to offer an unreserved apology to Timothy Gaston. Such an apology would not only acknowledge the unacceptable nature of the comments made, but would also help reinforce the standards of conduct that all participants in committee proceedings are expected to uphold.
“In recent weeks, there have been occasions where witnesses have sought to present their own political opinions and viewpoints as established fact. It is entirely right that committee members challenge such assertions and test the evidence being presented. That scrutiny is a fundamental part of the committee’s role.”
Formed in 1991 as a support body for Travellers, Minority Ethnic Support Armagh adopted its current name and wider aims last year in what it states is a bid to “properly represent the ever-changing minority ethnic communities settling in the Armagh area”.
The organisation states it is “dedicated to empowering nomadic, migrant, asylum seekers and refugee individuals by addressing their unique needs and promoting their rights and inclusion in society”.
Speaking to the Irish News, Ms Fearson refused to apologise for her insulting remarks, but called for “honest conversations about integration while also standing firmly against racism and ensuring that everyone is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect”.
Mr Gaston has reinforced that “the purpose of a scrutiny committee is to scrutinise the evidence being presented to it”, adding last week saw two panels about race relations on which “some of the witnesses didn’t like being challenged on the highly political narratives they were peddling”.