Latest news with #TimothyGaston
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
UK and Irish governments should ‘consider their actions' over Kneecap funding
The UK and Irish governments should 'consider their actions' with regard to any funding provided to Irish rap trio Kneecap, a Stormont minister has said. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said the actions of the the band amounted the 'glorification of terrorism' and went well beyond artistic licence. The group has seen gigs cancelled after historic concert footage appeared to show a member of the group shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah', and another video allegedly showing one calling for Conservative MPs to be killed. Made up of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, the group has faced an investigation by counter-terrorism police after the videos, filmed in 2023 and 2024, became public. Mr Lyons was asked during ministerial question time at the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday if his department had provided funding to Kneecap since 2017. He said: 'Neither my department nor any of its arm's length bodies have provided any funding to Kneecap since 2017.' TUV MLA Timothy Gaston referred to a planned gig in Belfast this August where Kneecap is set to support Irish rock band Fontaines DC. He said: 'As the minister responsible for local government, what are you doing to stop this pro-IRA rap group from turning Belfast City Council-owned Boucher Road playing fields into their personal propaganda stage?' Mr Lyons responded: 'The member will be aware that although I oversee local government legislation, it is up to individual councils to make their own decisions in those regards. 'But I hope that local councils would take into consideration some of the good relations issues that have been raised in light of some of the comments that have been made by Kneecap. 'Not only by Kneecap, but all of those that would seek to engage in what is essentially the glorification of terrorism.' DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley asked the minister if he agreed the UK and Irish governments 'need to fully distance themselves from the funding of racist, antisemitic and sectarian state sponsorship in the view of Kneecap?'. Mr Lyons said it was the responsibility of all to call out such behaviour. He said: 'There are always things we can disagree with which other people do in the arts sphere but this is going far beyond anything which comes anywhere close to dealing with artistic licence. 'This is the glorification of terrorism and this is also supporting, calling for violence towards MPs. 'It is incumbent on us to call that out and I would also call on the UK Government and the Irish Government to consider their actions in this regard.' Last year, Kneecap won a discrimination case against the UK Government in Belfast High Court after former business secretary Kemi Badenoch tried to refuse them a £14,250 funding award. People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll asked the Communities Minister if his department had given funding to any organisations that have been publicly singing 'up to our necks in Fenian blood?'. Mr Lyons said it was up to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to determine funding policies. He added: 'What I won't do is what some are trying to do which is to judge the entire bands community by the actions of a few if they have fallen beneath expected standards.'
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
TUV's Timothy Gaston's questioning of witness ruled not a breach of code
Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) assembly member Timothy Gaston did not breach the code of conduct while questioning a witness during a meeting of the Executive Office committee, Stormont's standards watchdog has found.A complaint had been lodged by Age NI after some of its staff appeared before the committee last NI argued Gaston's line of questioning towards Kellie Turtle was inappropriate and later complained to Stormont's standards investigation has concluded the MLA did not breach the code but described his questions to the witness as "excessive". In its report, published on Friday, Stormont's committee for standards and privileges said the commissioner had investigated two alleged breaches of the code of complainant had alleged Gaston had improperly interfered with the performance of the assembly by "distracting and diverting the committee away from the matter" that the witnesses had been invited to speak about and therefore interfered with the work of the had asked whether Age NI would regard it as transphobic if an elderly person in a care home requested to be assisted by someone of the same biological sex, and later made reference to previous comments on Ms Turtle's social media commissioner, Melissa McCullough, did not uphold the complaint, explaining that whether the MLA's questions were relevant or not, Gaston's role on the committee was to ask questions of witnesses who appear before also determined that Gaston had not breached another rule, which says MLAs should not subject anyone to "unreasonable and excessive personal attacks". 'Scrutiny is essential' Ms McCullough's report stated: "It is my view that it was excessive but not unreasonable or an attack on Dr Turtle to have asked the questions."However she did find that he had "failed to observe the Respect Principle" of conduct, which says MLAs should "show respect and consideration for others at all time".Following the publication of the report, Gaston said he welcomed the findings."This ruling is a welcome affirmation of the essential role that MLAs play in scrutinising public policy—particularly on sensitive and contested matters," he said."Scrutiny is not only permitted in the assembly —it is essential. Attempting to silence MLAs for raising legitimate concerns undermines the integrity of our democracy. "All who value freedom of speech and proper scrutiny should welcome this report."The chairwoman of Stormont's standards committee, Cathy Mason, said the committee took any allegation of a breach of the code of conduct "very seriously"."It is important that members should at all times conduct themselves in a manner which will maintain and strengthen the public's trust and confidence in the integrity of the assembly and that members should show respect and consideration for others at all times."
Belfast Telegraph
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
TUV hits out at other unionist parties over dual language signs – but DUP explains decision to swerve petition
Timothy Gaston has hit out at other unionist parties for not signing the petition The TUV has hit out at its fellow unionist parties after not a single MLA joined the party's petition against the Infrastructure Minister's decision to install dual language signs at Belfast's Grand Central Station. Timothy Gaston MLA raised the petition prior to Easter in opposition to Sinn Féin minister Liz Kimmins' decision to erect the signage – which includes both Irish and English – following legal advice.
Belfast Telegraph
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
TUV left isolated after MLAs fail to join petition against dual language signs at Grand Central Station
Timothy Gaston has hit out at other unionist parties for not signing the petition The TUV has hit out at its fellow unionist parties after not a single MLA joined the party's petition against the Infrastructure Minister's decision to install dual language signs at Belfast's Grand Central Station. Timothy Gaston MLA raised the petition prior to Easter in opposition to Sinn Féin minister Liz Kimmins' decision to erect the signage – which includes both Irish and English – following legal advice.
BBC News
24-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Belfast: Grand Central Station to get Irish language signage
Irish language signage is to be installed later this year at Belfast's Grand Central Station, Stormont's infrastructure minister has Kimmins said the bilingual displays would include passenger information and signage on ticket vending move follows criticism from Irish language campaigners when the new public transport hub opened in had defended its handling of the issue, saying that Irish was among the languages used on "multi-lingual welcome signage". It had said discussions were ongoing about signage with interest groups and political announced her decision in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday. The minister said she was "committed to the visibility and promotion of Irish language" and it was important that Grand Central Station was "reflective of all citizens"."I have therefore taken the decision to install bilingual signage at Belfast Grand Central Station and on all Translink's ticket vending machines," she said the bilingual signage would include "way-finding" signage, passenger information, safety notices and customer service Sinn Féin minister said the signage would be "installed later this year".A Translink spokesperson said design work to progress additional use of Irish on physical signage and on ticket vending machines will now commence following the announcement by Department for Infrastructure (DfI)."This is an extension of the multi-lingual welcome signage which is already in place at the station." Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) assembly member Timothy Gaston was critical of the in the assembly, he asked if the minister was "abusing her position to fire cultural bullets" in a "loyalist heartland of Belfast".Kimmins said the Irish language "is for everyone" and "it's nothing to fear".She said she was "committed to delivering equality for everyone".
