Timothy Gaston says he was 'punished for asking questions' as MLAs issue two day ban over standards report
Timothy Gaston has hit back at a Standards Commissioner’s report which ruled that he had broken the Assembly Members Code of Conduct – saying that it was a “political with hunt” and that he had been sanctioned for asking questions.
His comments came as MLAs voted to ban the TUV MLA from the Assembly chamber for two days, following an upheld complaint from the Alliance chair of the Executive Office Committee Paula Bradshaw.
It relates to a row in October 2024 over how an evidence session with the First Minister Michelle O’Neill was conducted – amid confusion over what questions MLAs could ask.
Mr Gaston had also called on Ms Bradshaw to step aside from chairing the meeting, after it emerged that she had met the first minister in advance to discuss the meeting.
During the heated scrutiny session, Ms Bradshaw has accused Mr Gaston of “badgering” Michelle O’Neill. This was cited in the report by former commissioner Dr Melissa McCullough, who said that nine of the TUV MLA’s questions “fell outside the remit” of the scrutiny body.
Former independent Assembly Commissioner for Standards Dr Melissa McCullough concluded that Mr Gaston had breached three rules in the code of conduct, saying he had engaged in behaviour that constituted an “unreasonable and excessive personal attack” on Ms Bradshaw.
Addressing MLAs on Monday, Mr Gaston said the complaint was “not about protecting and promoting scrutiny or holding members accountable when they fall short”.
Instead, he said it “exposes the disdain from the middle class for this country lad rocking up to the big house on the hill and daring to challenge the process and hold the establishment accountable” – claiming it was “rooted in protecting those in power”.
The North Antrim MLA cited a number of questions he had raised at the meeting – which had been judged to be a breach of Rule 13 – the improper interference with the performance of the Assembly’s functions.
He said the questions were “not only relevant to the First Minister personally, but went to the very heart of her suitability to hold office”.
Mr Gaston said the sanction proposed by the Assembly’s cross-party Standards and Privileges Committee – a two day suspension – would not stop him asking the questions he had.
“Some may point out that Ms Bradshaw and others on the Committee asked questions on similar issues but sure that doesn’t fit the narrative.
“One must ask, why is it only this member who is being punished? Is it because it is OK to ask one or two questions which makes the establishment uncomfortable, but if you ask 9, well that’s a breach of the rules?”, he said.
Responding to Mr Gaston’s statement, Sinn Fein MLA Cathy Mason, who chairs the standards committee, referred to a Freedom of Information request in which Mr Gaston is seeking information pertaining to the meeting between Paula Bradshaw and the First Minister on 23 October 2024.
“Mr Gaston will be well aware if he is a complaint alleging that any committee member failed to declare an interest or address a conflict of interest, then it is open to Mr Gaston to make his complaint to the commissioner or committee chairperson.
“I am assured that the committee have taken all necessary legal and procedural advice and has been scrupulous in both this case and in all cases it is dealt with to date in ensuring procedural fairness during the adjudication process”, she said.
Responding to concerns raised by the DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley about the impact of the ruling on free speech, Ms Mason said the committee “is well aware of the fundamental importance of the right to freedom of expression, particularly in terms of elected representatives”.
She said: “The MLA code upholds that right. However, the committee is well versed in applying the legal test to the factual circumstances of each case in deciding whether interference with that right is justified.
“It did so in this case in relation to the alleged breach and when considering a recommended sanction, and it was supported by legal advice every step of the way”.
The standards chair said the former commissioner Dr Melissa McCullough “executed her duties with impartiality and professionalism”.
She added: “Her investigation of this case was thorough and objective. Moreover, to attack the Office of the Commissioner or the committee is to undermine the integrity of the assembly standards system”.