Committee publishes its report on the allegations made in the BBC Spotlight programme 7 January 2010

The Committee on Standards and Privileges has today published its report on allegations made in a BBC Spotlight Programme against the then MLA Mrs Iris Robinson and Mr Peter Robinson MLA.

The allegations were investigated by the Assembly Commissioner for Standards who concluded that the former MLA had seriously breached Assembly rules by failing to register her interest in three payments made in 2008.  The Committee agreed with the Commissioner’s finding that this was the sole breach of the Code of Conduct that had occurred and that it was a serious breach.

Chairperson of the Committee Alastair Ross MLA said: “The Committee takes allegations of breaches of the Assembly’s Code of Conduct very seriously. It was therefore in the public interest that an investigation was carried out in order to establish the full facts in relation to the allegations made.

“I am pleased that the Committee has unanimously agreed with the Commissioner’s conclusions and I would urge everyone to read the report carefully.”

The Commissioner also concluded - and the Committee agreed - that none of the allegations made against Mr Robinson could, even if established after investigation, constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct.

ENDS