Civil servants who used electric vehicle chargers should repay, says Speaker

Civil servants who were able to charge their electric vehicles for free at Stormont should pay for the electricity they have used according to the Speaker Edwin Poots.

It comes as it was agreed that a new EV system will now be introduced at Stormont with payments being required for all future charging.

MLAs who used the six charging points at Parliament Buildings will also be asked to reimburse the public purse for the electricity used.

It followed a BBC News NI investigation which found that some MLAs were charging their EVs for free while at the same time receiving a travel allowance.

It was within the rules for MLAs to use the charging points.

This comes after parties were to arrange reimbursement over free electric vehicle charging.

At Stormont on Monday Speaker Edwin Poots confirmed that following a meeting of the Assembly Commission this morning, which has responsibility for the estate, it was agreed a new EV system is to be introduced which will require users to pay per charge.

Until then he said the current six EV charging points will remain out of use.

"Officials will engage with members who have been using the EV system to arrange reimbursement," he said

But speaking earlier on the BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show, Poots said he believed civil servants who used the free chargers should also be expected to pay.

"People who used them should repay and I extend that to officials as well as politicians," he said.