Northern Ireland Assembly speaker Mitchel McLaughlin warns MLAs

Mitchel McLaughlin said he would sanction MLAs who did not show respect to other assembly members

The assembly speaker has told MLAs he will punish anyone who in future fails to show other members respect.

Mitchel McLaughlin said recently some had fallen below expected standards of courtesy, good temper and moderation.

Since becoming speaker, Mr McLaughlin has clashed with a small number of MLAs over their behaviour.

At the start of business on Monday, he said it was unacceptable in a modern debating chamber for members to fail to show respect for others.

"From today, my focus will be on members showing one another respect in this chamber, creating a space that allows members to express themselves, probe others and hear answers without it degenerating into schoolyard name-calling and grubby attacks on personal integrity," Mr McLaughlin said.

Mr McLaughlin said MLAs should be in no doubt he would impose sanctions.

He singled out DUP member Gregory Campbell, saying that while not being technically out of order, he had crossed a line last week by referring to decisions taken by deceased MLA David McClarty, who can no longer speak for himself.