Archives For Nelson McCausland

Allister Comments on DSD Committee Meeting

Admin —  December 12, 2013

Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

“I welcome the fact that, after some prodding from myself, the Social Development Minister apologised to the DSD Committee. I do not, however, accept that the misinformation in letter was the result of anything other than calculated and deliberate.

“Did the Minister really need to read the Committee Hansard to find out who he had been meeting? Did he not check when the BBC asked him about the meeting? Did he not check when asked multiple questions from MLAs about the meeting?

“The truth is that the Minister ran out of road today. Continue Reading…

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Brimstone fact-finding exercise completed

Admin —  October 1, 2013

The DSD Permanent Secretary has written to TUV leader Jim Allister to advise that the fact-finding exercise relating to DSD SPAD, Stephen Brimstone, has been completed and DSD is now set to decide if disciplinary proceedings will follow. Continue Reading…

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TUV leader Calls for DSD Minister to Go

Admin —  July 8, 2013

Below is the speech Mr Allister made today when proposing his amendment.

I beg to move amendment No 2:
Leave out all after “glazing” and insert
“; and having no confidence in the Minister for Social Development calls on him to resign.”

I begin on a totally non-controversial note by saying that it is great to see back in the Chamber the Member for East Londonderry Mr David McClarty. [Applause].

Some Members: Hear, hear.

Mr Allister: It is marvellous that he is back with us. I am sure we all wish him every success in the recovery and the battle that he has.

I am not here today to defend the Housing Executive. I am not here today to defend any contractor, whatever vested interest others might have. I have no vested interest in defending any contractor. This debate is about the Minister. It is the Minister that this House can hold to account, and that is why that is the focus and should be the focus of the debate. True to form, of course, the DUP has tabled an amendment in an attempt to divert and divide attention away from the issue — a desperate attempt to muddy the waters as much as they can. We heard Mr Campbell today, as we heard him on the BBC last week, and I think anyone can see through it. Methinks he doth protest too much in the desperate attempts to muddy the waters in these issues. Continue Reading…

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TUV Asks Head of NICS to Investigate McCausland’s SpAd

Admin —  July 4, 2013

TUV leader Jim Allister has written to the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service requesting an investigation into the behaviour of the Special Adviser to the Minister for Social Development, Stephen Brimstone.
 
The texts of Mr Allister’s letter is below. Continue Reading…

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McCausland and SPAD must go

Admin —  July 4, 2013

Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-

“Tonight’s BBC Spotlight programme was a damming indictment of the DUP and its practice of abuse of power.

“Any self respecting DUP member should be outraged at how their own councillor, Jenny Palmer, was treated. Both Nelson McCausland and his SPAD, who represents him, should resign.

“Ministers are under a statutory duty (S 28 of NI Act 1998) to act in accordance with the Ministerial Code of Conduct which requires them at all times to “observe the highest standards of propriety”.  What objective viewers of this programme could conclude Minister McCausland has so acted?Likewise his SPAD. So both should go and would have to if this was an accountable democracy.

“Coming on the heels of the DUP’s power grab of planning powers, this programme revealed further disturbing evidence of the party’s unhealthy links with particular business interests.  Continue Reading…

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