Parties to arrange reimbursement over free electric vehicle charging at Stormont

Three political parties whose assembly members (MLAs) received free charging for their electric cars at Stormont have said they will arrange reimbursement for the additional benefit they have received.

MLAs who drive electric cars are able to receive free charging at Stormont despite already being paid travel expenses, a situation critics described as "ludicrous".

Six electric vehicle (EV) charging points have been installed behind Parliament Buildings for assembly members and staff.

MLAs are already entitled to an annual allowance for attending Stormont worth almost £7,000 for those travelling the furthest distances.

It is within the rules to use the charging points. BBC News NI understands three MLAs who have used them are Pam Cameron and Trevor Clarke, both of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and David Honeyford of Alliance.

Ulster Unionist MLA Robbie Butler has confirmed he also made "occasional" use of the charging facilities. He added he will engage with authorities and consider "repaying any benefit deemed appropriate".

Traditional Unionist Voice's Timothy Gaston told BBC News NI on Wednesday this usage could mean the public is "effectively paying twice for MLAs to travel to Stormont" as they are already being paid travel expenses.

On Thursday, the DUP confirmed that three of its MLAs had used the electric vehicle charging points at Parliament Buildings, with two of them understood to be Clarke and Cameron.

The party said its leader Gavin Robinson has asked the three MLAs to engage with the assembly authorities to arrange reimbursement for the additional benefit they received through electricity used.

The statement added: "Parliament Buildings should operate on the same pay-to-charge basis as public charging facilities across Northern Ireland.

"No DUP MLAs will avail of the charging facility until it becomes a pay-to-charge station."

Ulster Unionist Robbie Butler confirmed his occasional use of the chargers, but said his main car charging was done at home.

He said while he had only claimed those allowances available under the rules agreed by the assembly, he had "ceased using the facility" in recognition of public interest in the issue.

"As an individual, and in line with my party's wishes, I believe it is important to maintain public confidence in the proper use of public funds," he added.

"While I have acted fully within the rules and any benefit received was legitimately accrued under the arrangements in place, I am happy to engage with the assembly authorities on this matter, including consideration of repaying any benefit deemed appropriate."

UUP leader Jon Burrows said the policy should be changed so that MLAs pay for the EV charging service "as the public do".

"In the meantime no MLA from any party should be using the free EV chargers until there is a mechanism to pay for it," he added.

Alliance MLA David Honeyford is also understood to have used the facilities.

In a statement, the party said: "Electric vehicle charging at Parliament Buildings is the responsibility of the Assembly Commission, and our MLAs follow its rules. We will be proposing the commission introduce a charge for EV use.

"Until this is actioned, any Alliance representative who has used or will use charging points will cover the cost to date to ensure value for money."

A Sinn Féin spokesperson said: "No Sinn Féin MLA uses the electric vehicle (EV) charging points at Stormont.

"Any MLA who uses the free charging points for electric vehicles at Stormont should declare this and make the appropriate reduction if claiming travel expenses."

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) said none of its MLAs has an electric vehicle and that "no staff member can access the free EV charging car park".

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston claimed his party had "observed MLAs from various (other) parties using the charging points".

He called on them "to be clear with the public" and that "failure to do so will profoundly undermine confidence in MLAs".

Six EV charging points are located in an upper car park not accessible to the general public.

MLAs, party support staff and assembly employees can use them under a daily booking system.

"The charging points are free of charge to users," the assembly confirmed to BBC News NI in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

It said no "metered data" was held from the EV chargers to confirm total costs to the public purse.

An assembly spokesperson later added that records were only held on a "short-term basis" and bookings for one week in May cost about £325.

A nearby visitors' car park on the Stormont estate has two EV charging points which are not free to use.