Party leader apologises for wearing headphones during debate

Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows has apologised for wearing wireless headphones in the assembly chamber during Monday's no-confidence motions in four Sinn Féin ministers.

Following the debate, Speaker Edwin Poots said it had come to his attention that an MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) had been wearing AirPods and said he would be writing to them as a reminder of what is acceptable conduct in the chamber.

Poots has previously had to warn MLAs over their language in the chamber and their dress code.

While the Speaker did not name the politician, on Tuesday, Burrows told the assembly he was the MLA in question.

"As I came into the chamber, the debate was winding up and I did slip an AirPod on to listen back to a debate I missed. I then drafted a social media post," he said.

"I know the Speaker addressed it, I apologise. I was working but I'll do that in future outside the chamber," he added.

Later on Tuesday, the Speaker wrote to all MLAs reiterating that wearing ear buds is banned in the chamber.

He said doing so was "disrespectful" and "unprofessional" to other MLAs and the assembly.

The use of electronic devices has been permitted since 2012 at Stormont to allow MLAs to use electronic speaking notes, receive messages and deal with some other business while waiting to take part in a debate.

But Poots cautioned that their use should be discreet and not "disrupt or distract" from proceedings.

He added: "The only occasion on which a member is permitted to wear headphones or similar devices is when they are required to hear the provided interpretation of another member speaking in a different language."

The votes of no confidence in Michelle O'Neill, John O'Dowd, Caoimhe Archibald and Liz Kimmins failed to secure enough support in Stormont.

The Northern Ireland Assembly debated the no-confidence motions over the ministers' handling of the Drumcree dispute.

However, the attempt to oust them failed as it required cross-community support from a majority of both unionists and nationalists in the assembly.