Make a complaint

To make a complaint either about a Minister or MLA regarding a breach of the respective Code of Conduct or a complaint under the Unacceptable Behaviour Policy, it must be made in writing and include specific information as outlined below.

What can I investigate?

For complaints against Ministers:

I can only consider complaints that a Minister has breached one or more of the rules or principles as set out in Schedule 4, Paragraphs 1.5 and 1.6 of the Ministerial Code of Conduct

For complaints against MLAs:

I can only consider complaints that an MLA has breached one or more of the rules (not principles) as set out in Paragraph 4 of the MLA Code of Conduct.

What happens when I receive your complaint?

I will acknowledge receipt of your complaint at the earliest possible opportunity. I will also send a copy of your complaint, together with any supporting documentation you have provided, to the Minister or MLA complained about and to the Clerk to the Committee on Standards and Privileges.

In order for me to consider your complaint, it must:

be made in writing;
state the name of the complainant;
state the postal address of the complainant except where the complainant is a current Member;
name the person who is the subject of the complaint;
state the acts or omissions of the person complained of which are alleged to have breached the Members Code of Conduct or the Ministerial Code of Conduct or both;
state the provision or provisions of the applicable code or codes which each act or omission is alleged to have breached;
in relation to each act or omission complained of, be substantiated by being supported by sufficient evidence to satisfy the Commissioner that there is a prima facie case that a breach of the applicable code or codes has occurred and that the complaint is not frivolous or vexatious or otherwise an abuse of the complaints process;
relate to alleged conduct which falls within the scope of the applicable code or codes; and,
be made within six months from the date when a complaint about the alleged conduct could reasonably have been made.

For complaints made under the Unacceptable Behaviours Policy

Where your complaint is against a Commission staff member, MLA staff member or a Party Staff member, I will write to you at the earliest opportunity to confirm that your complaint has been referred to the appropriate office as detailed in the Policy. I will consider your complaint where it relates to a Minister or MLA.

Confidentiality

All complaints submitted under the Policy are confidential and will be managed accordingly, whether they are subject to investigation by the Standards Commissioner, the Assembly Commission or relevant Party.

You and the respondent to a complaint are required to maintain confidentiality throughout the complaint process and (if not an MLA in either case) will be required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement at the outset.

You should be aware that, if the Standards Commissioner and the Committee have reasonable grounds to believe that you have breached the Confidentiality Agreement, your complaint may be discontinued.

What is the best way to submit your complaint?

Complaints should be made in writing to the Assembly Commissioner for Standards, Room 222, Parliament Buildings, Belfast, BT4 3XX or by email to [email protected]

Further Information

Learn more about the complaints process on niassembly.gov.uk.

If you need contact my office, you can write to me at Room 222, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3XX or by email at [email protected].