Stormont speaker Edwin Poots warns MLAs over language used in debates

Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly have received an official reprimand over the "aggressive tone and language" of recent debates.

The Speaker Edwin Poots has written to some of them about what he says have been the most serious incidents of conduct.

In a letter to all MLAs, he claims "the state of relationships and conduct" across the chamber presents a "significant risk to business".

In the letter published by the Stormont authorities, he writes "while I have a high threshold for passionate debate, I am concerned about the aggressive tone and language of some exchanges of late".

"On too many occasions over the last few weeks behaviour across the House has risked becoming disruptive and disorderly with all parties being involved."

Poots said that having served 28 years in the Assembly - along with Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly the most ever - he has to observe "how difficult it is proving at the moment to conduct the Assembly's routine functions and day to day business".

He also warned it is "out of order" for members to challenge the authority of the Speaker's chair.

He concluded: "It would be in the interests of everyone if some greater dignity and decorum was to return to the handling of our business in the time ahead."