Stormont Committee on Standards finds Sinn Fein MLA Carál Ní Chuilín breached code of conduct
An investigation by the Stormont Committee on Standards has found that Sinn Fein MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has breached the Assembly Members’ Code of Conduct.
Complaints were made that the MLA had failed to declare an interest on the issue of vandalism to portrait of Belfast Lord Mayor Lord Wallace Browne at Belfast City Hall in 2024 was raised at an Executive Office Committee meeting she attended. The committee report said it was understood the MLA’s son had been linked to the incident and had investigated by the police – but subsequently not prosecuted.
Assembly Commissioner for Standards, Mr Stephen Wright, concluded that Ms Ní Chuilín had breached Rule 5 of the Code when she failed to declare a relevant interest in the matter at a meeting of the Committee for the Executive Office on 26 November 2025.
He also considered that Ms Ní Chuilín had failed to uphold the Principles of Openness and Leadership.
The Committee on Standards concurred with these findings and upheld the applicable allegations.
Committee Chairperson Cathy Mason MLA said: “The Committee takes allegations of breaches of the Assembly’s Code of Conduct very seriously. Therefore, it was right that an independent investigation was carried out in order to establish the facts in relation to the allegations made.
“While the Member was found to have breached the Code, the Committee noted that there were mitigating circumstances in this case. The Member has stated that she is committed to maintaining the high standards required of Members, will ensure that such a breach does not occur again and has apologised to the Committee.”