O’Neill and Bradshaw ‘not contacted by police’ over misconduct claim

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Executive Office committee chair Paula Bradshaw have both said they have not been contacted by police amid inquiries into a claim of “misconduct in public office”.

Speaking separately on Wednesday, both Ms O’Neill and Ms Bradshaw also said they first heard about the police inquiries through the media.

The claim is understood to relate to a meeting held between the two women prior to Ms O’Neill giving evidence to the committee in October 23 2024.

It was referred to during a TUV press conference as the party’s sole MLA, Timothy Gaston, reacted to a recommendation by the standards commissioner to suspend him from the Assembly for two days over comments he made to Ms Bradshaw at the same meeting.

There had been tense scenes between Mr Gaston and Ms Bradshaw around an allegation Ms Bradshaw met Ms O’Neill before she appeared at the committee to give evidence.

Ms O’Neill had been under fire following criticism of Sinn Fein over its handling of a number of controversies, including that of former press officer Michael McMonagle, who was convicted of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

As exchanges at the committee became more heated, Mr Gaston said to Ms Bradshaw: “Take a step back. You’re OK, you’re OK. Breathe.”

He said he apologised at the time, acknowledging his comments were “ill-judged”, and added he believed that had been the end of the matter.

Mr Gaston made a complaint against Ms Bradshaw, but the standards commissioner found it was “inadmissible”.

The PSNI said on Monday that it received correspondence concerning an allegation of misconduct in public office in October 2024. They added: “inquiries remain ongoing”.

On Wednesday, Ms O’Neill said the first she heard about police inquiries was through the media on Monday.

“I have not been contacted by police so I have nothing to add to what is already in the public domain,” she said.

Speaking during a meeting of the Executive Committee later, Ms Bradshaw also said the first she had heard about the police inquiries was on Monday.

“I was not aware at all of any of this, I have not been approached by the PSNI,” she said.

“I have written to (chief constable) Jon Boutcher to ask for an outline of what’s happening, and I got a holding response… I am learning it all in live time through the media.”