Burrows calls for Hargey’s replacement on Policing Board as Gaston challenges Ní Chuilín in Assembly
Tuesday 29 September 2026
Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has called on Sinn Féin to replace Deirdre Hargey on the Northern Ireland Policing Board while the investigation into events on the Garvaghy Road, and any resulting proceedings, remain ongoing.
He has written to the Board’s chair seeking an urgent decision before Thursday’s meeting, arguing that a member involved in events under investigation should not scrutinise the officers responsible for policing them.
The call comes alongside his request for a Chief Constable assurance of equal treatment under the law, while Timothy Gaston has challenged both Carál Ní Chuilín’s position in the Assembly chair and the DUP’s continued partnership with Sinn Féin in government.
Hargey’s position on Policing Board challenged
Mr Burrows said Ms Hargey had been on the Garvaghy Road on Sunday and that footage showed her linking arms across the road with others. The PSNI has described the protest that prevented the notified parade from proceeding as unlawful and unnotified.
He said the policing operation was expected to come under scrutiny at Thursday’s Board meeting, creating a conflict between Ms Hargey’s involvement and her oversight role.
“Ms Hargey was directly involved in the events the Board is due to discuss. She cannot take part in questioning the officers responsible for that operation. She should not attend Thursday’s meeting. If she does, she must recuse herself from every item concerning Garvaghy Road, and the Board should ensure that happens.”
Replacement sought while investigation continues
Mr Burrows argued that withdrawing from discussion of the operation would not, on its own, address his wider concerns about public confidence.
“But this goes beyond one meeting. Given her direct involvement in events now subject to a criminal enquiry, I believe Sinn Féin should replace her on the Policing Board until the investigation, and any proceedings arising from it, have concluded. It would be incompatible with public confidence for someone whose own conduct may be examined by police to oversee that same police service while the matter remains live.
“This is not a presumption of guilt. It is basic good governance, and a test of the Board’s independence and the appearance of impartiality. Those standards matter most when the circumstances are difficult.”
He said the Board must be able to scrutinise police without reasonable questions about whether a member had a personal interest in the operation being examined.
Equal treatment assurance sought from Chief Constable
In a separate letter, Mr Burrows requested a meeting with the Chief Constable and an assurance that political office would make no difference to the investigation of apparent offences.
“Senior Sinn Féin politicians were among those involved on Sunday. Any apparent offences involving them must be investigated exactly as they would be if any other citizen were involved. Office or political position must make no difference whatsoever, and I have asked the Chief Constable to say so publicly.”
He called for a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation, properly resourced to consider all relevant evidence, and an explicit assurance that the PSNI would discharge its statutory duties impartially.
“I fully recognise the operational independence of the police. My request is straightforward: everyone involved must be treated equally under the law, and they must see that happen without undue delay.”
Support for officers on the ground
Mr Burrows said his letter to the Chief Constable began by thanking officers involved in the operation.
“They were placed in an exceptionally difficult position through no fault of their own, and they have my support and the support of this party as they continue to uphold the law and keep the peace.”
Gaston challenges Ní Chuilín in Assembly chair
In the Assembly on Tuesday, TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston raised a point of order challenging Principal Deputy Speaker Carál Ní Chuilín over her involvement in the Garvaghy Road protest.
He alleged that she had acted unlawfully and questioned whether she should preside over proceedings, saying:
“Surely, if we are to take this place seriously, you should not be sitting in that seat, because your actions over the weekend have done nothing but a disservice to this place.”
Ms Ní Chuilín responded:
“You can approach the Speaker about that. We will move on with business.”
DUP challenged over Sinn Féin partnership
In a separate Assembly intervention, Mr Gaston accused the DUP of demanding action against Sinn Féin while continuing to govern alongside the party.
He said he agreed with DUP leader Gavin Robinson’s calls for police to act against those who had broken the law, but argued that business at Stormont had continued as normal.
“He further told the media that it could not be business as usual, but, Gavin, it was business as usual yesterday in the House. The Order Paper was worked through as though nothing had happened.”
Mr Gaston also questioned how Michelle O’Neill could remain a partner in government for Emma Little-Pengelly and argued that other senior Sinn Féin office-holders should face prosecution if she did. Those were his demands, rather than an announcement of any prosecution decision.
Call for DUP to act on its criticism
Mr Gaston urged the DUP to follow its criticism with action over the future of the Executive.
“If the DUP holds the conviction and if it is right that something should happen, it is time to call an end to this farce. The rule of law must be upheld. No parade, no Stormont — and no surrender.”
Police operation and evidence review continue
In Tuesday afternoon’s PSNI update, Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said:
“Our significant public safety operation remains in place on the Garvaghy Road. Overnight we have continued to engage and assess how best to balance the rights of all parties.
“We will continue to explore and keep under review a range of tactical options to safely bring this matter to a conclusion and keep the peace.
“Our dedicated Enquiry Team are continuing to review evidence gathered to ensure an effective criminal justice strategy.”
The police update did not identify any individual facing proceedings. Mr Burrows’ request now seeks a separate decision before Thursday’s Board meeting on how scrutiny of the operation should be handled while that evidence review continues.
