Stormont car freebie: Alliance MLA named as beneficiary previously highlighted 'expensive' public charging points
Alliance says all of its MLAs followed rules set down by officials, after an Assembly member was named as one of the politicians charging up their cars at the public’s expense.
David Honeyford, who represents the Lagan Valley constituency, was listed by the BBC as one of the politicians having powered up their electric cars for free – something that was within the rules.
However, his party has declined to say whether he received travel allowances whilst also in receipt of free fuel for his electric car.
The Alliance MLA has previously complained about the cost of charging vehicles on the public network.
In January 2024 Mr Honeyford said: “Charging on our EV [electric vehicle] public network is considerably more expensive than home charging, and not as convenient for daily usage”. Charging at Stormont was free for MLAs and their staff.
He has also consistently lobbied for more EV charging points, particularly in his constituency of Lagan Valley – where he said there was a “serious lack of” facilities.
In the latest accounts published on the Assembly website, covering the period April 2025 to December 2025, Mr Honeyford 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.
Stormont officials have said the Assembly Travel Allowance is designed to cover the general costs of travel, which includes “wear and tear of the vehicle, motor tax, insurance, maintenance and depreciation. This applies whether the vehicle is petrol, diesel or electric”.
The News Letter asked the Alliance Party if Mr Honeyford used the free charger during periods where he claimed travel allowances, and asked why the public should pay for the fuel of an MLA on a salary of £67,200.
An Alliance Party spokesperson said: “Electric vehicle charging at Parliament Buildings is the responsibility of the Assembly Commission and our MLAs follow its rules. We will be proposing the Commission introduce a charge for EV charging use”.
Politicians can claim an allowances for driving to work at the Assembly, with a separate pay out for travelling around their own constituency. These expenses depend on how far from Stormont their constituency is.