Progress on Special Advisers Bill
15 February 2012
TUV Leader Jim Allister has announced and welcomed the fact that this week he received the formal authority of the Speaker for the draftsmen to proceed to draft his Private Members Bill designed to prohibited persons with serious convictions from holding the post of ministerial Special Adviser.In a statement Mr Allister said, "Whereas, the stipulated procedures for bringing forward a Private Members Bill are complex and protracted, including the lengthy consultation period, I am pleased that this week we took a significant step forward with formal approval from the Speaker that the matter can now go to the appointed draftsman. Over the coming weeks I will liaise with the draftsman on the detail of the Bill, which when completed will start its progress through the Assembly. There I hope it will attract the support of all democrats so that we can right the wrong of convicted criminals holding such high office."
