The Stormont Committee that oversees the Executive Office, is looking to have First Minister Michelle O’Neil revisit them to shed more light on the scandal involving Michael McMonagle. In order to do so, they have decided to gain legal consultations. The committee members met on Wednesday to discuss the potential of Ms O’Neil and her political partner Aisling Reilly, from Sinn Féin, coming before them again, without the presence of fellow DUP politicians, Emma Little-Pengelly, the Deputy First Minister, and Pam Cameron, another junior minister, and also to discuss the scope of possible enquiries.
These four Ministers had previously convened with the committee a week prior, during which on her first occasion, Ms O’Neil was questioned, pertaining to the revelation that two press officers from Sinn Féin, had provided character testimonies for a previous coworker, who was later found guilty of child sexual offences.
Seán Mag Uidhir, a highly regarded figure within Sinn Féin, who was in charge of the party’s media department in the North, and his colleague Caolán McGinley resigned last month upon the discovery that they had provided these character references for Michael McMonagle, another ex-press officer for the party.
McMonagle has admitted to being guilty of two counts of tempting a child into engaging in sexual encounters, and twelve counts of attempting sexual communication with a child. These events took place between 2020-21. Coming from Limewood Street, Derry, the 42-year-old was removed from his role at Sinn Féin upon his arrest in August 2021. In September 2022, he assumed a role at the British Heart Foundation in Belfast as communications and engagement manager. His offences came to public knowledge in July 2023, after which he was suspended and then sacked by the charity.
During the recent turn of events, Ms O’Neil has expressed her regret for the upset and injury caused by their actions. President of Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald, has consequently demanded a complete review of the party’s governance methods.
In the committee session held on Wednesday, Sinn Féin Assembly Member, Carál Ní Chuilín declared that she wouldn’t object to anyone being called back, however, she believes that either all four Ministers should be present, or none at all, since anything else would ridicule the partnership office.
“I’m desiring professional legal counsel concerning the call back number – whether it should stand at two or four. I’d also need advice regarding outstanding issues from last week subject to legal explanation, as I reckon some matters are now beginning to be rather muddled”, stated DUP MLA Brian Kingston.
He also mentioned, at the assembly held last week, that the First Minister basically pointed the finger at two dismissed press officers for the mishap. However, an apology has now been rendered to the British Heart Foundation by the First Minister, and she recognises her party’s wrongdoings. This admission has been necessitated through accountability measures, which included strict scrutiny by the committee, the media, and the Assembly.
The First Minister, caught up in a protection failure controversy, requires our intervention, stated Kingston.
SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin came out in support of summoning all four Ministers back to the committee, asserting, “Our ethical obligations seem to have taken a hit. This needs resolution.”
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston, advocating for clarity and openness, pointed out the lack of transparency so far. The credibility of the First Minister and the Executive Office is blown to pieces owing to this, he affirmed. Independent Unionist MLA Claire Sugden articulated that the return of the Ministers should be within legal parameters.
“If their recall revolves around issues that legally are not permissible, they hold the right to decline. Clarity on the scope of what questions we can and cannot pose to them is essential”, said Sugden.
Paula Bradshaw, the committee chair and Alliance MLA, mentioned having instructed the clerk to extend an invitation to the British Heart Foundation to present before the committee. However, with their recent statement issued, they opted to decline the invitation conveying, “They would rather move past this”.
This report contains additional information from PA.