SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MLA has called for Assembly Speaker Robin Newton to stand down immediately following a series of decisions which have impugned his judgment, his integrity and his character over successive months.
He said: “The course of action adopted by the Speaker this week has undermined the joint nature of the First and deputy First Minister’s Office.
“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.
“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.”
