Watchdog complaints double since Stormont restored

Complaints to the Northern Ireland Assembly's standards watchdog have more than doubled in the year since Stormont was restored.

Almost 150 complaints were made to the Assembly Commissioner for Standards in 2024-25, compared to 65 lodged in the previous 12-month period.

Northern Ireland's devolved government returned in 2024 following a two-year hiatus due to a political row over post-Brexit trade checks.

The commissioner investigates complaints against members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) and ministers in Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive.

A total of 149 complaints were made in 2024-25, including 123 against MLAs and 26 relating to ministers.

Of these, 16 were assessed as admissible and proceeded to formal investigation, while 129 were deemed inadmissible.

Although the 2024-25 figure is an increase compared to the previous year, it is similar to other recent years.

The highest figure in the 13 years since the commissioner role was created was 164 in 2021-22.

Most complaints in 2024-25 related to alleged conflicts of interest.

This was followed by complaints of "excessive and unreasonable personal attack" including concerns related to the use of social media.

The details were contained in the latest annual report by the standards commissioner Dr Melissa McCullough.

It is her last annual report before her five-year term as commissioner ends in September.

The commissioner said the "exceptional circumstances" of the Covid-19 pandemic and a two-year Stormont hiatus "made for an unusual five-year term".

She added that "while I am very proud of what has been accomplished, I believe that in different conditions more could have been achieved".

In her "final reflections" in the report, she said the ministerial code of conduct should be "updated, as it has not been revised since 1998".

"This remains an urgent and unresolved matter," she added.

Dr McCullough said the commissioner's office needed more staffing resources "to do the work effectively".

"Unfortunately, despite formal requests for such dedicated support, none has been provided," she added.

Dr McCullough also said the terms of the commissioner's employment should be reviewed, as benefits such as holiday pay and sick pay are currently not provided.

She said it "risks sending the wrong message" and could "deter experienced and capable individuals from putting themselves forward".