Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“When Douglas Bain was appointed as Assembly Standards Commissioner I called on him to resign from the Parades Commission because of the obvious conflict which could arise when investigating any complaint connected in any way to a parade determination. He refused and insisted on clinging to both jobs.
“Now, the predictable has happened. Mr Bain finds himself compromised by his Parades Commission membership and is having to duck out of an investigation he should be conducting and, instead is putting the Assembly to the extra cost of appointing someone else to act in his place.
“This has arisen in respect of my complaint against Gerry Kelly, arising from the Castlederg episode. Mr Bain has written to me as follows:-
27th August 2013
Dear Mr Allister
YOUR COMPLAINT AGAINST GERRY KELLY MLA – CASTLEDERG
Thank you for your letter of 12 August 2013 making a complaint against Gerry Kelly MLA arising out of his alleged conduct in Castlederg on 11 August 2013.
As a member of the Parades Commission I was one of those who agreed the determination in respect of the parade in Castlederg that day. In these circumstances some might have concerns as to my impartiality to consider your complaint.
In these circumstances I have decided that it would be inappropriate for me to consider your complaint. I have advised the Committee on Standards and Privileges of my decision and recommended that they appoint an Acting Commissioner under the powers conferred on them by Section 23 of the Assembly Members’ (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 to consider your complaint. You will be advised of the Committee’s decision.
Yours Sincerely
Douglas Bain CBE TD Advocate
Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards”
