First Minister accused of misleading Assembly

Mr Durkan raised the point of order when Mr Robinson claimed that SDLP social development minister Margaret Ritchie had indicated to her cabinet colleagues that she had the legal authority to send out the emergency £150 (€162) payments without Executive approval.

The Foyle MP produced a copy of an Executive paper that he said proved Ms Ritchie had told the cabinet that in fact she did not have the authority to introduce the measure on her own.

However, Mr Robinson stood by his claim and, in response, accused Mr Durkan of unparliamentary behaviour.

He also called for a probe into how the SDLP leader had come in to possession of the confidential Executive paper.

All the matters will now be referred to Assembly speaker William Hay for a ruling.

Mr Durkan raised the matter during a debate on new legislation designed to enable the Executive to respond to emergencies.

He said: “I am saying the First Minister’s claims during the course of this debate were misleading the house because he was leaving the house with the clear impression that the minister for social development had never signalled that she didn’t have legislative cover and in fact had been signalling, including in December when the Executive was meeting again (after a five month impasse), that she did have.

“And I have an extract of a paper that I believe was circulated to all ministerial colleagues at a time when the Executive wasn’t meeting which made it clear (that she didn’t have legal powers) and the First Minister would’ve possession of that and clearly would have been in knowledge of that, and was speaking in contradiction of that today – that is misleading the house.”

After Mr Durkan called on Mr Robinson to withdraw his comments, deputy speaker John Dallat asked the First Minister to respond.

“There will be a number of matters that will be referred to the speaker as a result of this,” said Mr Robinson.

“To indicate that a minister is misleading the house is also unparliamentary and needs to be dealt with.

“As far as the general accusation is concerned I stand by the position I indicated earlier on, that at the very first meeting when we came back (in December) and dealt with the issue of fuel poverty, the minister (Ms Ritchie) was questioned at the Executive table as to her legal competence and (she) still was arguing that she may have that (power to introduce payments) and was still trying to clarify the position.”

According to conventions and procedures for ministers, those found to have knowingly misled the Assembly “will be expected to resign”.