The chairwoman of a Stormont committee has denied misleading members over text messages between her and First Minister Michelle O’Neill.
As a meeting of the Executive Office Committee again descended into angry scenes, TUV member Timothy Gaston was called “Inspector Clouseau” as he continually raised concerns with chairwoman Paula Bradshaw.
The row relates to a meeting Ms Bradshaw had with Ms O’Neill before the First Minister appeared before her scrutiny committee in October to answer questions about a number of controversies Sinn Fein had faced.
Michelle O’Neill appeared before the committee in October (NI Assembly/PA)
Ms O’Neill repeatedly refused to answer questions directly relating to recent controversies, insisting she could only respond to queries that fell within the remit of the Executive Office.
Sinn Fein had been facing criticism for its handling of a number of issues, including those involving former press officer Michael McMonagle and ex-senator Niall O Donnghaile.
Mr Gaston has repeatedly sought further information about the meeting Ms Bradshaw had with the First Minister before the committee appearance.
The News Letter reported on Wednesday that a freedom of information request had shown that Ms O’Neill had attempted to phone Ms Bradshaw and messaged her twice the night before she appeared at the committee, seeking assurances about how her evidence session would be conducted and requesting to see legal advice the committee had received.
Timothy Gaston (right) challenged Ms Bradshaw over text messages from Michelle O’Neill (David Young/PA)
The paper said Ms Bradshaw responded by text to agree with a request that the committee appearance should be constructive.
When the committee met on Wednesday, Mr Gaston challenged the chairwoman, saying she had previously told members she had not engaged with the First Minister.
Ms Bradshaw said: “You have tried to create this false narrative that we are in some ways having this correspondence behind the scenes, which is not the case.”
Mr Gaston responded: “It certainly looks like it when you have text messages to your personal phone.”
Ms Bradshaw said she replied to the First Minister to acknowledge she had missed her correspondence and to advise her she was using “official channels” to set up the meeting before the committee appearance.
Mr Gaston continued: “It is my concern that at best you misled the committee, at worst you lied to the committee.”
Ms Bradshaw said: “That is a very strong accusation. I would ask you to reflect on that, I did not mislead the committee.”
The TUV MLA said he had previously asked for all correspondence, but Ms Bradshaw said he had only asked for all communication from the committee.
He added: “You decided not to declare that the First Minister had reached out to you by back channels.”
The Alliance Party MLA responded: “That is up to the First Minister to answer.”
Caral Ni Chuilin said the questioning by Mr Gaston was ‘inappropriate’ (Brian Lawless/PA)
Mr Gaston went on: “You are the chair of this committee and I suggested you had compromised yourself the day the First Minister came because you went to a private meeting, and now it turns out there are text messages between the two of you.”
Ms Bradshaw said: “I acknowledged that I had missed the call and missed her two text messages from the previous evening and advised her that I had asked the clerk to use the official channels, which is the proper procedure. Should I have ignored the First Minister?”
At this point Sinn Fein MLA Caral Ni Chuilin said she found the line of questioning to be “inappropriate”.
She added: “I just wouldn’t indulge Timothy and the News Letter any more, I think this is ridiculous.”
Mr Gaston went on: “Is there anything else to declare?”
Ms Bradshaw told him if he had a problem, he should take it up with the Standards Commissioner.
Mr Gaston continued: “Is there anything else you want to declare to the committee that might come out in further FOIs?”
SDLP MLA Sinead McLaughlin said there was no rule stopping committee members speaking to ministers. She also said the dispute was disrupting the work of the committee.
She added: “Tim, I’ve sat through it for weeks now. We are getting nowhere with it.
“Look at the two text messages, there are really nothing in them.
“Inspector Clouseau, honestly, ministers can talk to you as a member of this committee, ministers can talk to me.
“We have to draw a line under it, it is going nowhere.”
As Mr Gaston continued to restate his concerns, Ms Bradshaw brought the meeting to an end.