A new website including an online complaint form launched by the Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards, Dr Melissa McCullough, is part of a programme of work to update the complaints procedure and simultaneously raise the awareness of the work of the Commissioner.
The online complaint form is a confidential, easier, and more accessible way to lodge a complaint to the Commissioner over concerns relating to the conduct of an MLA or Minister. All necessary information to make a complaint is included in the online form, and the Commissioner directly receives all complaints once they have been submitted.
Recently, under new legislation which came into force on 22 March 2021, the Commissioner’s role was extended to consider complaints of alleged contravention of the Ministerial Code of Conduct. This new function is unique to Northern Ireland among the UK jurisdictions.
In relation to the outcome of complaints, once the Commissioner decides if a complaint is inadmissible or admissible, and if admissible, finishes her investigation, a report is sent by her to the Assembly Committee on Standards and Privileges. It is the members of the Committee that ultimately decide if they agree with the Commissioner’s findings and what sanctions, if any, an MLA or Minister will receive.
The Commissioners 2020-2021 annual report highlighted that a majority of complaints received about MLAs in the past year were related to ‘unreasonable personal attack’ and ‘conduct in relation to operating in the public interest at all times’.
On the launch of the new website and online complaints form, NI Assembly Commissioner for Standards, Dr Melissa McCulough said:
“Since taking up my post in September 2020, it is apparent to me that there is a distinct need to increase public trust in the Assembly and politics in general. That is why we need to continually promote and ensure the highest standards in public life as a central way to build trust.”
“It is my belief that this new online presence launched today will help to promote the high standards that the Northern Irish public want to see in the Assembly and their elected officials. The new complaints handling software will enable more streamlined case handling and enhanced reporting that will ultimately benefit complainants, the Assembly and society as a whole.”
“The website also includes information on the expansion of the remit of my office to consider complaints of alleged contravention of the Ministerial Code of Conduct which is unique among other parts of the UK and was introduced at the end of March under new legislation.”
“I do recognise that some may not have access to the website to make a complaint online, therefore I would encourage those individuals to still engage with my work and make a complaint via post or by telephone.”
