Northern Ireland

Additional funding to be made available for MLAs to increase security

Stormont’s Assembly Commission has agreed a new fund, expected to be accessible by September

File photo dated 09/05/22 of a No Entry sign at Parliament Buildings at Stormont, Belfast, as Northern Ireland businesses are facing a "tipping point" and require the help of a functioning Stormont Executive, the leaders of an industry body have warned. PA Photo. Issue date: Wednesday October 26, 2022. The president and vice president of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged politicians at Stormont and in Westminster to reach a resolution which would restore the powersharing institutions. See PA story ULSTER Stormont. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire.
MLAs will be able to access additional funding to improve their security in the coming months. PICTURE: LIAM MCBURNEY/PA
By Paul Ainsworth

A new fund will be set up to help Stormont MLAs increase their security in response to threats and intimidation.

The Assembly Commission is to establish the fund, which it has been reported could see up to £4,000 available for each of the north’s 90 MLAs to improve security at their homes and constituency offices.

The new funding would be in addition to the current allowance available to MLAs to cover running costs for offices.

MLAs can currently access up to £7,000 constituency office operating expenses, and a £4,000 establishment expenses budget - both of which were increased in 2020 to reflect security measures being included in the list of admissible expenditures.

Last month the Assembly Commission was challenged to “get serious” about what protections are available to MLAs, with elected reps describing threats they have faced.

Sinn Féin MLA Sinead Ennis, speaking then on behalf of the Commission, said further security funding was under discussion, and could be available from September.

During that debate, UUP MLA Steve Aiken described how his office was previously threatened by paramilitaries, and security recommendations by police “completely outstrips” available support.

“When will the Commission get serious about this?” he asked.

Meanwhile, in March it emerged through the Commission that the PSNI was to deliver security training to MLAs, who would also be able to request safety surveys of their homes and offices.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Assembly Commission said it took security issues “extremely seriously”.

“As well as the financial support available, the Assembly Commission works closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland to brief members on security matters, and provides members with the UK Government’s personal security guidance.”

A spokesperson said the body has “recently been considering a number of options to support members and has agreed that additional funding will be made available to members for the provision of security measures”.

They added: “Measures required will vary according to the circumstances of each member and the assembly commission will not disclose the detail of security measures for individual members.”