Campbell hitsout at AllisterStormontmint probes

The East Londonderry MLA said: “Last Tuesday, the Principal Deputy Speaker announced the outcome of an investigation into the honourable Member for North Antrim Mr Allister and curtailed his oral contributions in the Chamber over the next few weeks.

“Just for clarity, I want to establish whether it is the intention of the ruling to prevent Mr Allister putting down incisive, forensic and analytical written questions like the ones he did about the cost and condition of mint imperials in the Chamber.”

The Deputy Speaker, John Dallat, said: “I understand that Mr Allister has been informed of what the situation is, and, yes, his speaking opportunities will be curtailed.”

Last year following probes by Mr Allister the Sentinel reported how sweeties for Stormont politicians cost the Northern Ireland taxpayer a packet between 2009/10 and 2012/13 - £980 for 1,782 rolls of mint.

It turns out 524 ‘rolls’ of mint costing £288.20 were eaten in 2009/10; 445 rolls costing £244.75 were eaten in 2010/11; 493 rolls costing £271 were eaten in 2011/12; and 320 rolls costing £176 were eaten in 2012/13 up until January 2013.

The total bill was £980.10. The average cost of a roll of mints over the period was 55p.