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Iris stand-in ordered from debate Iris stand-in ordered from debate
(37 minutes later)
A DUP MLA was banished from Stormont's debating chamber after accusing Sinn Fein Education Minister Caitriona Ruane of misleading the assembly.A DUP MLA was banished from Stormont's debating chamber after accusing Sinn Fein Education Minister Caitriona Ruane of misleading the assembly.
Jonathan Bell accused her of being misleading by suggesting that his DUP colleague Sammy Wilson endorsed her plans to remove prep school funding.Jonathan Bell accused her of being misleading by suggesting that his DUP colleague Sammy Wilson endorsed her plans to remove prep school funding.
The deputy speaker ordered Mr Bell off the premises on Monday when he refused to withdraw his remarks.The deputy speaker ordered Mr Bell off the premises on Monday when he refused to withdraw his remarks.
Mr Bell replaced Iris Robinson as a Strangford MLA in January.Mr Bell replaced Iris Robinson as a Strangford MLA in January.
In a statement released afterwards, Mr Bell accused Mrs Ruane of "attempting to play party politics".In a statement released afterwards, Mr Bell accused Mrs Ruane of "attempting to play party politics".
"At no point were the actions of the education minister ever endorsed or supported by the minister of finance and personnel (Mr Wilson)."At no point were the actions of the education minister ever endorsed or supported by the minister of finance and personnel (Mr Wilson).
"Indeed, as well as conveying his opposition to these controversial plans in writing, he voted along with a majority of assembly members in the chamber to oppose these proposals," Mr Bell said."Indeed, as well as conveying his opposition to these controversial plans in writing, he voted along with a majority of assembly members in the chamber to oppose these proposals," Mr Bell said.
He argued that, in the chamber, he was merely "refuting an inaccurate claim".He argued that, in the chamber, he was merely "refuting an inaccurate claim".
"The report the minister (Mrs Ruane) referred to was requested by the Department of Education and it is entirely up to the Education Department how they act on it."The report the minister (Mrs Ruane) referred to was requested by the Department of Education and it is entirely up to the Education Department how they act on it.
"This report was not commissioned by the finance minister, it was not sanctioned by the finance minister and Sammy Wilson has actually written to the education minister outlining his concerns about her actions on the prep schools issue," he said."This report was not commissioned by the finance minister, it was not sanctioned by the finance minister and Sammy Wilson has actually written to the education minister outlining his concerns about her actions on the prep schools issue," he said.
'Pay only'
A review has found that the state should no longer subsidise the prep schools as they are only accessible to pupils whose parents pay fees.A review has found that the state should no longer subsidise the prep schools as they are only accessible to pupils whose parents pay fees.
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane approved the review's findings.Education Minister Caitriona Ruane approved the review's findings.
A motion opposing the proposal was passed by the Assembly but it is not binding on Mrs Ruane.A motion opposing the proposal was passed by the Assembly but it is not binding on Mrs Ruane.
Ulster Unionist assembly member Sam Gardiner said if Mrs Ruane withdraws funding from prep schools, she should also withdraw it from Irish language and integrated schools.
"If we cannot afford prep schools then neither can we afford Irish language medium schools or integrated schools," said Mr Gardiner.
"The only conclusion a reasonable man could come to in this inconsistent situation is that the minister is out to destroy the prep schools because they are linked to the grammar school system."