Alliance Policing Board member John Blair MLA has requested a report from police after figures suggested a disproportionate number of people from black, Asian and minority ethnic minority backgrounds had been stopped and searched by the PSNI. Recently compiled statistics showed 25,021 people were subject to stop and search by PSNI in the past year, […]
Alliance Policing Board member John Blair MLA has requested the Board hold a public meeting tomorrow afternoon, following the cancellation of a scheduled session. The Policing Board was originally due to meet in public, alongside a private meeting, with Chief Constable Simon Byrne expected to answer questions relating to the Bobby Storey funeral. However, the […]
The DUP needs to explain its apparent U-turn on the proposed waste incinerator in South Antrim, Alliance MLA John Blair has said. Mr Blair’s call came after DUP South Antrim MP Paul Girvan, who vocally opposed the controversial plans, was revealed to be calling for the project to now be approved, in a letter to […]
Alliance South Antrim MLA John Blair has called for the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to take more action and increase penalties for illegal dumping. Mr Blair said areas in his constituency such as Randalstown and Mallusk have seen an increase of illegal dumping during the lockdown period. In recent correspondence with […]
Alliance MLA John Blair has expressed his sympathies after police launched a double murder investigation in Newtownabbey. It is believed a man stabbed his mother and girlfriend at separate properties, in Derrycoole Way in Rathcoole and Glenville Road in Whiteabbey. Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incidents, which they are […]
Men need to ask themselves what they can do to be better allies to women and to challenge problematic behaviour from fellow men, Alliance MLA John Blair has said. South Antrim MLA Mr Blair was speaking during an Assembly debate following the murder of Sarah Everard in England. The 33-year-old’s remains were found in woodland in […]
Alliance MLA John Blair has called for further funding to tackle the climate crisis. Mr Blair made the call after the latest meeting of the DAERA committee, adding the DAERA allocation in the Draft Budget document for 2021-22 is not enough to tackle the climate crisis, adding that ahead of COP26 we need to provide more funding and […]
Alliance MLA John Blair has said Minister Gordon Lyons continues to put party politics before the safety of staff, as he continues to facilitate the Brexit mess the DUP has made. Speaking after officials again had to appear before the AERA Committee following unilateral action by a Minister, Mr Blair said it was long past […]
Alliance MLA John Blair has responded to a statement from the DAERA Minister, warning of the consequences of political stunts. In calling out the “irresponsible” move, John said the action would only “disrupt an essential process for some of our crucial economic sectors, such as agriculture and agrifood”. He added: “Any actions to stall completion […]
Almost 80 per cent of respondents to a consultation are in favour of banning hunting with dogs in Northern Ireland, Alliance MLA John Blair has revealed. Mr Blair’s proposed Private Member’s Bill seeks to outlaw the practice, which is legal in Northern Ireland, the only part of the UK in which it is. The South […]