Stronger rules needed on politicians’ payments – SF Assembly Chief Whip

‘The use of public funds by MLAs to employ family members or commission services from companies in which they or family members have an interest is unacceptable and should cease’

SINN FÉIN’S Chief Whip in the Assembly has called for tighter control of payments to and by politicians, party funding and donations to parties, and the employment of relatives by elected reps.

The call by Caitríona Ruane MLA (left) comes in the wake of the shock resignation on Wednesday evening of SDLP MLA Conall McDevitt over a £6,750 payment he received in 2010 from PR company Weber Shandwick without declaring it.

Conall McDevitt – who unsuccessfully challenged Alasdair McDonnell for the SDLP leadership in 2011 but was still regarded as one of the SDLP’s high-flyers and a possible future leader – himself described the non-declaration as “a serious breach” of the MLA code.

“My failure to register these interests at the time means that I have fallen below the standards of expected of me in public office,” the SDLP figure said, resigning “with immediate effect”.

His resignation comes after revelations that a company owned by his wife had received thousands of pounds over the past two years for research working for him in his roles in the Assembly and the Policing Board.

Sinn Féin Chief Whip Caitríona Ruane MLA said on Thursday:

“Elected representatives have a duty to maintain high standards in carrying out their roles and responsibilities.   

“There is a clear need for increased transparency right across the political spectrum with respect to payments to and by politicians, and party funding in general, including donations to parties.    

“Anything less undermines trust in the political process and the credibility of the political institutions.

“The use of public funds by MLAs to employ family members or commission services from companies in which they or family members have an interest is unacceptable and should cease.

“If parties or individual MLAs are not prepared to abide by the correct standards then the rules which govern party financing should be strengthened to make it mandatory that they do so.

“And the rules on transparency should also be amended to require parties to declare who party donors are. There should be no secret donations.

“A refusal by some within the political process to adhere to proper standards tarnishes the entire political process and feeds mistrust. 

“We need to confront this refusal if we are to restore and protect the integrity of the political process.”