Speaker has lost confidence of the Assembly and must stand down: Eastwood

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has called for Assembly Speaker Robin Newton to “stand down immediately” following a series of decisions which the Foyle MLA said “have impugned his judgment, his integrity and his character over successive months.”

The East Belfast DUP MLA (pictured) was heavily criticised for allowing his party leader, First Minister Arlene, to make a statement to the Assembly on Monday over her handling of the Renewable Energy Incentive (RHI) scheme without the agreement of Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness. Mr Eastwood said that “course of action” had undermined the joint nature of the First and Deputy First Ministers’ Office.

He added: “In doing so, Robin Newton has set himself against one of the fundamental tenets of power sharing and therefore is no longer fit to hold the Office of Speaker. “This week’s events follow months of poor decisions which have left confidence in, and the authority of, the Speaker in tatters.

“His clear conflict of interest in ruling against legitimate public interest questions on funding for Charter NI did serious damage to his position. These latest events have made that position untenable.” Mr Eastwood concluded: “The Speaker should reflect on his position and resign so that a successor can build the confidence in that office that Mr Newton has lost.”