Debate contribution: Timothy Gaston MLA: Committee on Standards and Privileges Report

Debate contribution by Mr Eóin Tennyson on 2 February 2026.

MLA

Mr Eóin Tennyson

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

2 February 2026

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Committee Business

Heading

Timothy Gaston MLA: Committee on Standards and Privileges Report

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5356867

Read the official Assembly record

Text

As some other Members have done, I thank the Standards Commissioner, the Standards and Privileges Committee and all others who were involved in processing the complaint. Despite misleading conjecture, gaslighting and spin, only one Member was found to have been in breach of the code of conduct in that case: Timothy Gaston. Today's sanction follows a transparent and independent process, with the clear finding that the conduct amounted to an "unreasonable and excessive personal attack"; that he repeatedly and persistently failed to respect the authority of the Chair and improperly interfered with the Assembly's functions; and that he failed to uphold:

"the expected standards of ... courtesy, and respect."

The report also clearly demonstrates that false and misleading accusations were repeatedly levelled against Paula Bradshaw that she was shielding witnesses. The commissioner determined that those claims were false, misleading and completely without basis. We cannot overlook the impact that such an insult has on the complainant. I express today my solidarity with Paula, who is a fine public servant who always acts with integrity and entirely in the public interest.

No, I will not. You have had plenty of time. Those gratuitous insults and allegations continued this morning in breach of the embargo, overriding due process in the Assembly and with contempt for Members. Rather than learn his lesson, it is clear that Mr Gaston has continued to impugn the integrity of the Standards Commissioner, the Committee and the Assembly. I have heard it said that this was a witch-hunt. Of course, the Members making such claims overlook the fact that all the main parties, with the exception of the Ulster Unionist Party, are represented on the Committee. I was astounded to hear the position of Paul Givan and Jonathan Buckley today. They are hoist by their own petard, in that the DUP representatives on the Committee — Brian Kingston, Harry Harvey and Paul Frew — never objected to the sanction that was recommended. The question is this: what has changed, or is it just that the DUP is once again not being led by Gavin Robinson but being led by the nose by Jim Allister in the Chamber today? I have observed a worrying pattern of women from across the political parties being framed as too erratic, too emotional, or too irate. Those arguments have been used to dismiss them, trivialise their position and undermine their credibility. I am proud of the strong women who represent the Alliance Party in the Chamber. As the report reflects, if we are genuinely committed to a political culture in which women are fully represented, reflected and supported, behaviour that undermines that aim cannot be excused, dismissed or allowed to pass without scrutiny. The leader of the Ulster Unionist Party professes to be a fan of scrutiny and of the inclusion of women in politics. At the weekend, his party announced a campaign to encourage women to step forward. That is a laudable ambition, but it rings hollow now because, at the very first hurdle, his party is refusing to support even the most basic sanction for behaviour that no woman in public life should ever be expected to tolerate.

The true test of leadership is not what a party says in a press release or at a campaign launch; it comes when standards are challenged, behaviour falls short and leaders must decide whether to uphold the values that they profess to champion or turn a blind eye. Today, the Ulster Unionist Party is turning a blind eye alongside the DUP and the TUV.

Basic decency must underpin how we do our work. Public confidence rests on our ability to uphold standards and impose sanctions when rules are broken. If we cannot show respect to one another and demonstrate that breaches of the code of conduct have consequences, we erode what little public trust and confidence remain in these institutions. As for allegations that this is an attack on free speech, free speech has limits. It is no excuse for insult, personal attack or the bullying that we repeatedly see in the Chamber and at Committees. I implore all Members who believe in standards in public life, scrutiny and accountability and want to retain public trust in the institutions to support the motion. Nothing less is acceptable.

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

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 14:22 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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