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No Assembly sanctions over MP’s gay remarks

By David Gordon
Saturday, 4 July 2009

DUP politician Iris Robinson will face no Assembly disciplinary action over her controversial denunciation of homosexuality as an “abomination”.

The Strangford MLA and MP made the comment in June last year on the Stephen Nolan show on BBC Radio Ulster.

Complaints were made to the Stormont Standards and Privileges Committee by a number of members of the public.

They were investigated by Standards Commissioner Tom Frawley, who concluded that Mrs Robinson had not breached the Code of Conduct for MLAs. That verdict was upheld this week by the cross-party Committee.

In its report issued yesterday, the Committee stated: “The Committee recognises the fundamental issues that are raised by this case.

“On one hand elected representatives must be free, within the law, to express any political opinion that they may hold: this includes opinions on moral and social issues. Such freedom of expression is an essential aspect of any democracy.”

It also said: “However, it is also the case that while Members must be entitled to express their opinions, as public representatives they have a particular responsibility for the manner in which they express such beliefs. It is essential that in acting in the interests of the community as a whole, Members recognise their responsibility in this important area.

“In particular it is essential that, when expressing their beliefs, Members are conscious of the risk of some groups in society using the articulation of those sincerely held beliefs as a reason to physically attack members of any community who also have the right to live without fear of attack or hostility from others.”

The Committee's consideration of the case was delayed by a police investigation into comments on homosexuality by Mrs Robinson.

The PSNI has closed its case having concluded “there were no reasonable grounds to believe an offence had been committed”.

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Or Romans (NT) too gearoid

Posted by Aaron | 07.07.09, 14:41 GMT

Simple solution to this, people. Just don't vote for them again.

Posted by McD | 06.07.09, 13:10 GMT

The equality agenda in every respect in a one way street in that if you are not a member of a "minority group" you have no rights. While Iris could have used more moderate language, the LGBT "community" did not help its case by carrying a banner at a recent Gay Pride in Belfast that proclaimed that Jesus was a faggot.

Posted by Thos | 06.07.09, 08:48 GMT

Iris Robinson spoke her mind - so be it. That's simple freedom of expression. Any who have a problem with the way she apparently feels and believes, should not necessarily look at her and wonder what's up - they should look at the people who elected her, since she apparently represents their way of thinking. Peace.

Posted by KevinSO | 06.07.09, 04:17 GMT

Sean - the 'Holy Bible' doesn't TEACH us anything about homosexuality. Some people chose to believe these old writings mean God somehow hates homosexuality. And some of us prefer to use commonsense.

If you, or the DUP want to live your lives by Leviticus then go ahead. leave the rest if us in the 21st century.

Posted by gearoid | 05.07.09, 14:42 GMT

Iris has every right to express her views. This is a free society. However, others have every right to condem her views for the intolerant and ignorant nonsense that they are. If Iris wants to justify her ignorance by refering to the Bible, fine - those of us who oppose her views can express ourselves in a rational, logical manner instead.

Posted by Brian Adams | 05.07.09, 00:27 GMT

However Centaur, she said it while in her role as a public representative.

As a public representative she is expected to treat everyone as equal, without qualification.

If the MLA's Code of conduct does not guarantee that then it must be changed to do so.

Her Christian beliefs are private and should play no part of her public life. After all, that is the minimum expected of all real politicians.

Would you be so tolerant if she were quoting the Koran?

Posted by Fred | 04.07.09, 23:29 GMT

What a surprise!

Iris Robinson did not 'breach the code of conduct'
MPs outlandish expenses did not 'breach the code of conduct'
BNP racist membership rules did not 'breach the code of conduct'

Maybe the 'code of conduct' is wrong? But sure, let them do what they please, they are politicans after all!

Posted by Neil | 04.07.09, 18:35 GMT

JerryF that was an uncalled for remark. Iris never said anything about not welcoming ANYBODY to Northern Ireland. She merely stated her Christian beliefs as pointed out by Jerry.

Posted by Centaur | 04.07.09, 15:56 GMT

When Iris expresses her opposition to homosexuality, not only is she exexcising her right to free speech, she is also reminding her listenrs of what the Holy Bible teaches us. Therefore, she is availing herself of religious liberties which never be infringed upon.

Posted by Seán Mac Curtáin | 04.07.09, 14:05 GMT

Isn't it just great ! MLAs allowed to express their opinions in a good mannered way, and quote the Bible in the Assembly. It makes the blood boil for a former Health Service Manager to be tasked with trivial decisions such as this after being added to the excessive pool of very costly Commissioners.

Posted by Malachy McAnespie | 04.07.09, 13:49 GMT

If she can say what she likes because it was a personal opinion fine but when she makes it in any parliament building such as an assembly it becomes the opinion of an MLA or MP and surely it crosses a line. She spewed her bile at Westminster don't forget. If it was a comment about race we wouldn't be having this debate because she would have been sanctioned. This is unacceptable.

Posted by Angry Snout | 04.07.09, 13:23 GMT

"Mrs Robinson had not breached the Code of Conduct for MLAs."
Obviously the code of conduct needs addressed if it has not been breached.

Posted by cd | 04.07.09, 12:47 GMT

Never understood what the problem was. She's a Christian, and all she did was state her beliefs. Some people might not like them, but she's free to believe whatever she wants, just the same way gay people are free to be gay if they want.

Posted by Jerry | 04.07.09, 11:08 GMT

so homophobia has been given the official stamp of approval by the assembly? marvellous - what words would she or any politician here have to use for it to be unacceptable? what if she said that slavery was morally acceptable (it says so in the bible after all) would that still be ok? this sickens me

Posted by mk | 04.07.09, 10:39 GMT