Paul Givan calls for boycott of meeting due to MLA behaviour

However in a statement the committee chair Nick Mathison called Givan’s decision “unprecedented and unacceptable”.

“He is playing games with children’s education by seeking to stop the committee from holding his department to account at a time when the education system is in a state of chaos,” he said.

“This move is about avoiding scrutiny of the big issues at hand, including the ongoing SEN crisis, crumbling school buildings, and a complete breakdown of industrial relations.

“It is not for the minister to try to dictate how the committee conducts its business, and parents and the education workforce will be deeply concerned that our scrutiny role is being hampered so significantly.”

The SDLP MLA Cara Hunter said Givan’s decision “represents a serious interference with assembly scrutiny.”

“The minister’s decision here is completely disproportionate and an extraordinary overreach,” she said.

“An issue concerning the alleged behaviour of one member has resulted in officials being withdrawn from the entire committee until the chair provides assurances about future questioning.”