Bobby Storey funeral: NI standards watchdog for MLAs appointed in middle of lockdown furore

A new standards commissioner has been appointed to the Northern Ireland Assembly, at a time when the conduct of MLAs during the Bobby Storey funeral is under the spotlight.

Stormont speaker Alex Maskey announced yesterday that the Assembly Commission has agreed to nominate Paul Kennedy, a Co Down solicitor, for appointment to the post – which had stood vacant for three years.

The business committee is to discuss the nomination on July 21, when MLAs will be able to agree his formal appointment.

A spokeswoman for the Assembly told the News Letter any complaints received about MLAs “will be passed to the next commissioner as soon as one is appointed”.

It also said that the law prohibits him from either confirming or denying that a complaint about any particular MLA has been made.

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