Jim Allister hit with three day speaking ban by Speaker Alex Maskey over conduct in Assembly on Monday

Mr. Maskey, who is also a Sinn Fein MLA for Belfast West, described the incident as "unacceptable behaviour" when he raised it at the beginning of a plenary sitting of the Assembly on Tuesday morning.

"The authority of the chair is always something we will take serious in this chamber.

"It has been some time since there has been a need to sanction a member in such a way however yesterday was a clear example of unacceptable behaviour which cannot be ignored and I intend to uphold the authority of the speaker's office regardless of who is in the chair at the time.

"Therefore, Mr. Allister will not be called to speak for three sitting days starting from this morning - this includes all items of business, questions and interventions".

Mr. Allister attempted to respond by raising a point of order but was told he was not permitted to do so.

"You have been sanctioned which means you can't have an intervention - I have determined a three day suspension, I can add to that, don't tempt me," responded Speaker Maskey.

On Monday, Jim Allister shouted "scandal", "shame" and "embarrassment" at Speaker Maskey after Sinn Fein blocked the erection of a sculpture within Stormont to mark the 100th anniversary of Northern Ireland.

Mr. Allister attempted to make his feelings on the decision by raising it as a point of order but was immediately told to stop and take his seat by Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Sinn Fein MLA, Alex Maskey.

Mr. Maskey is also the Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission - the commission comprises of representatives from Sinn Fein, DUP, UUP, SDLP and the Alliance Party.

"Mr. Speaker, I want to ask how the commission which you chair, the Assembly Commission, hopes to carry the confidence of the unionist community," said Mr. Allister on Monday.

Mr. Maskey interrupted Mr. Alistair and asked him to resume his seat.

"That is not a point of order and the member [Jim Allister] is aware that it's not a point of order."

Mr. Allister sat down but then proceeded to shout: "it's 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."

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

Mr. Alister responded: "The commission is unfair - it's a scandal."

Mr. Maskey hit back saying: "The commission is made up of five parties - those members, in my view, work very hard to try and reach agreement on a wide range of issues.

"I very much want to commend my own officials for assisting the parties in reaching agreement very recently on the centenary for example and other matters."

Mr. Maskey added: "I would defend the right of commission members to agree or disagree but one thing I will say is that, despite political differences, they work hard to reach agreement and I will not have them insulted in this chamber so I am not raising any other discussion on this issue."

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