Committee on Standards and Privileges Publishes Report on a Complaint Against Mr Matthew O’Toole MLA

The Committee on Standards and Privileges has today published its report on a complaint against Mr Matthew O’Toole MLA that he had breached the Assembly Members’ Code of Conduct (the Code).

The complaint was investigated by the former independent Assembly Commissioner for Standards, Dr Melissa McCullough who concluded that Mr O’Toole had breached Rule 12 of the Code, through the unauthorised disclosure of confidential information on a live complaint under consideration by the Commissioner.

The Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges, Cathy Mason MLA said: “ The Committee takes allegations of breaches of the Assembly’s Code of Conduct very seriously. Therefore, it was right that an independent investigation was carried out in order to establish the facts in relation to the allegations made.

“ While the Member was found to have breached the Code, he has acknowledged the importance of the overall reputation of the standards process and has apologised to the Committee. I am therefore pleased that, following receipt of a written apology from the Member, the Committee has reported to the Assembly that the matter has now been resolved”.

The full report can be read here: https://lk.cmte.fyi/ComplaintAgainstMrMatthewOToole

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact the NI Assembly Communications Office: communications@niassembly.gov.uk

Notes to Editor:

• Because Mr O’Toole apologised to the Committee, the matter has been resolved, and no sanction has been recommended. There will not be a debate on this matter in the Assembly chamber.
• Find out more about the work of the Committee on Standards and Privileges, including Membership.
• Read the Code of Conduct for Assembly Members.
• Dr Melissa McCullough was Assembly Commissioner for Standards from 2020-2025. The current Commissioner for Standards is Stephen Wright.
• Find out more about the Commissioner's role.