Debate contribution: Donaldson Case: Public Confidence in Policing

Debate contribution by Mrs Naomi Long on 30 June 2026.

MLA: Mrs Naomi Long
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 30 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Donaldson Case: Public Confidence in Policing
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5653242

Text

First. if there was intelligence gathering, that would fall outside my remit. Again, intelligence, particularly at a national security level, is a reserved matter. However, I am aware that colleagues in Westminster have been raising these issues with the House authorities in Westminster and, indeed, more widely with the NIO and others. It is important that people distinguish between people's private and public lives. People have a right to their privacy, even where that may speak to a degree of hypocrisy. I understand that there are reasons, known to us all, for that in a society that can be very sanctimonious, very judgemental, very homophobic and very challenging about an individual's sexuality. There can be a prurient interest in people's personal lives that is not appropriate, but that needs to be shaken out from the wider points around criminal offending, and that is the bit of this that it is important to focus on. What people did in their private lives is, in many ways, a matter between them and their god.

172 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Awaiting analysis

This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification