David McNarry MLA was chastised after “disrespectful” comments muttered towards Department for Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry during Ministerial questions last Monday (October 12).
It was during a question on foreign labour and its impact upon young people not in employment, education or training, during which Minister Farry dispelled several myths around immigration. During today’s proceedings, Speaker Mitchel McLaughlin raised a complaint made by Mr Dickson, saying he was fortunate the comments were not recorded.
However, the Speaker added they were picked up by a microphone and he found them “disrespectful and unacceptable,” and that he had reminded Mr McNarry to show respect in future.
“I welcome the Speaker making a point of verbally reprimanding Mr McNarry for his disrespectful comments,” said Mr Dickson.
“It was important UKIP see the facts behind the inflammatory myths they pedal around immigration. As mentioned by Minister Farry, a recent report by the Department for Work and Pensions shows the number of migrants registering for National Insurance numbers has no impact on the numbers not in employment, education or training.
“It is wise to deal with facts, instead of scaremongering and scapegoating people coming into our society, blaming them for problems. Hopefully this reprimand will force Mr McNarry to think twice before he does so and in such a disrespectful manner again.”