SF MPs ‘should be admonished’ – Paisley
The Government should “admonish” Sinn Fein MPs who claim allowances but refuse to take their seats in Parliament, the DUP’s Ian Paisley Jr has said.
Mr Paisley accused Commons Leader Sir George Young of “washing his hands, Pilate-like” of the situation.
But Sir George insisted the payment of allowances to the five MPs, including party president Gerry Adams and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, was a matter for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa).
During Commons exchanges on upcoming business, Mr Paisley (N Antrim) said: “Surely the Leader of the House is washing his hands, Pilate-like, of the responsibilities that this House ought to have when it comes to the payment of Members’ allowances to a party and to members that deliberately abstain and fail to do the work that they ought to do on behalf of their constituents.
“And surely there should be not only a debate in this House but a statement by the Government and indeed an admonishment of those Members who fail to turn up to this House and do the job as elected Members of this House but are paid full allowances for coming to this House.”
Sir George replied: “I understand but it was a unanimous decision of the last parliament that decisions on salaries and allowances for MPs should no longer be taken by this House but should be taken by an independent organisation. And that is where the responsibility rests.”
Tory Bob Stewart (Beckenham) also called for a debate on whether Sinn Fein MPs could use Commons facilities “and possibly take allowances from the public purse” without taking the oath of allegiance.
Sir George said: “Issues about allowances are no longer a matter for this House – issues about allowances, including to Members who may not have taken their seats, are now a matter for Ipsa.”
