Hearing what our politicians have to say is a crucial part of democracy.
However, back in 1998, the Assembly censored words spoken by Martin McGuinness to Deputy DUP leader Peter Robinson.
After Robinson threatened to sue for libel, they were cut completely out of Hansard – the official record of what is said in the assembly.
Following a legal battle lasting over two years, which involved commissioning a professional lip reader, the Belfast Telegraph can now report on what exactly they are.
What did Martin McGuinness say that resulted in 26 years of censorship?
How did Peter Robinson exploit his parliamentary privilege to sue for libel?
Why were unelected civil servants able to censor words spoken by a government official?
Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph’s Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride and Mediahuis Ireland solicitor Thomas Turner, who have worked together on this highly unusual case.
Sam McBride and the legal battle to unveil Martin McGuinness’s censored words after 26 years
