The FDA union has demanded that Pat Sheehan MLA substantiate his claims that officials tell lies to committees or make an immediate public apology.
The West Belfast politician made the remarks during a session of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Education Committee where he said officials “come in and they mislead committees, they tell lies to committees, they gaslight us”.
Responding to Sheehan’s comments, FDA national officer Robert Murtagh said: “Allegations that civil servants have deliberately misled an assembly committee are extremely serious and strike at the heart of public trust in government, which Pat Sheehan’s party leads.
“Civil servants are bound by the civil service code to act with integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality at all times. To accuse them of lying without evidence is reckless and unacceptable – particularly when it comes from an MLA.
“MLAs are, of course, entitled to scrutinise policy and hold officials to account through the committee structure. They are not, however, entitled to make baseless accusations that undermine the professionalism and integrity of officials.”
Murtagh added: “Unless Pat Sheehan can substantiate these claims, he should withdraw them and apologise without delay.”
He also called for Sheehan’s party, Sinn Féin, to take responsibility.
“The party, including the first minister, should make it unequivocally clear that such comments are unacceptable,” Murtagh said. “Failure to act will only serve to undermine public confidence in the government.”
The Northern Ireland Civil Service's Department for Education has also called on Mr Sheehan to either provide evidence or withdraw the comments.
Asked by Irish News about his claims earlier this week, Sheehan said he stook by his remarks. He said that the committee had been given assurances that draft guidelines relating to the school uniforms bill would be made available before the summer recess in 2025, which he said did not happen.
“When I raised the issue in the assembly, the minister chose to arrogantly dismiss those concerns rather than properly address them,” Sheehan said.