Jon Burrows tells Ulster Unionist MLA on £79,200 salary to 'reimburse' Stormont over use of free car charging
An Ulster Unionist MLA on a salary of almost £80,000 has been named as one of those charging their electric car at Stormont for free – but has yet to say whether he was claiming assembly travel allowances at the same time.
The BBC’s Nolan Show named Robbie Butler as one of the politicians having powered up their cars at the public’s expense – something that was within the rules.
Despite days of questions, none of the main parties had named any MLAs who had availed of the freebie. Nor have they said whether any of their MLAs had also claimed travel allowances while doing so.
However, Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows has said that he expects any of his MLAs who have used the free chargers to contact the Assembly’s finance department and “take the appropriate steps to ensure any additional benefit is reimbursed”. The Assembly has previously said it has no "metered data" was kept to confirm total costs to the public purse.
The BBC programme reported that Mr Butler was one of a number of MLAs seen “getting in to their cars which were charged at Stormont for free”.
Politicians are entitled to claim allowances worth thousands of pounds for driving to work at the assembly, with a separate pay out for travelling around their own constituency.
These expenses can amount to thousands of pounds annually, depending on how far from Stormont their constituency is.
According to the assembly website, MLAs who chair Stormont committees earn a salary of £79,200. Mr Butler presides over the agriculture, environment and rural affairs committee.
In the latest accounts published on the assembly website, covering the period April 2025 to December 2025, Mr Butler claimed an allowance of £1,357.47 for travel to the assembly.
From April 2024 to March 2025, the Lagan Valley MLA claimed an assembly travel allowance of £1,749.96.
The News Letter asked the UUP whether Mr Butler disputes the BBC reports and whether he used the free charger during periods in which he was claiming a travel allowance. We have also asked why, given he is an MLA on a salary of £79,200, the public pay for Mr Butler's fuel, potentially twice.