DUP Politician’s Appointment as EA Chair Prompts Scrutiny

A Sinn Féin assembly member has challenged Education Minister Paul Givan’s decision to appoint a fellow party member to a prominent position, stating that the minister needs to demonstrate a “clear commitment to transparency”. Minister Givan confirmed on Thursday that Mervyn Storey, a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politician, would assume the role of the new chair of the board of the Education Authority (EA). Givan remarked that Storey, who is a former Stormont minister and a current member of the EA’s board, possesses a “sound understanding of the education landscape”. Nevertheless, Pat Sheehan of Sinn Féin asserted that Storey’s “previous role as a DUP minister, MLA, and current DUP councillor raises obvious questions for the minister about the appointment”. Sheehan further stated, “I will be raising these important questions and concerns at the education committee.” A representative from the Education Department indicated that Storey’s selection occurred “following an open, transparent and merit-based competition conducted in accordance with the code of practice issued by the commissioner for public appointments for Northern Ireland.” It has been three years since Northern Ireland last had an independent public appointments commissioner in position. The position of EA chair carries an annual salary ranging from £50,000 to £60,000, in addition to travel and subsistence allowances. Storey has been a board member of the Education Authority since May 2022. He was first elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2003, representing the North Antrim constituency for the DUP, and remained in office until he lost his seat in 2022. During his tenure, he chaired Stormont’s education committee twice and also served as social development minister and finance minister. Following his electoral defeat, the DUP co-opted him to a seat on Causeway Coast and Glens Council. Givan commented that Storey will contribute “a wealth of expertise and experience to this role at a critical moment as we seek to transform our education system for the next generation”. The Northern Ireland Humanists have similarly voiced opposition to Storey’s appointment, characterizing him as a “creationist-teaching advocate”. Storey has previously advocated for the inclusion of creationism in Northern Ireland’s school curriculum and urged that creationist perspectives be featured in an Ulster Museum exhibition concerning the origin of the universe. In 2008, he informed the Irish Times that exclusively teaching evolution in schools constitutes “an insidious indoctrination occurring in our education system”. Boyd Sleator, coordinator for Northern Ireland Humanists, stated that Storey’s “track record of pushing for creationism in schools raises serious concerns about his ability to lead an education system that should teach children facts, not pseudoscience”. Sleator also mentioned his intention to write to the education minister to “seek reassurance that creationism will not be taught in schools as scientifically valid”. The Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council, representing the primary teaching unions, expressed apprehension regarding the appointment. A spokesperson for the council declared, “We in the NITC are committed to working to ensure that all appointments in the education system are fair and equitable, especially in light of legislative change.” They further added, “We are requesting an assurance that those in high office are equally committed to these same high standards.” Cara Hunter, education spokesperson for the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), commented that Storey’s appointment would “have people asking about ‘jobs for the boys'”. She also stated that it would inflict “further damage to the public perception about the approach to senior appointments within our public sector” and that the education minister faces “serious questions to answer”. Hunter highlighted that Storey’s appointment followed the naming of Richard Pengelly, who is the husband of Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, as the Education Authority’s chief executive. She concluded, “We cannot ignore the issues raised by these successive appointments.” Some members of the Education Authority’s board had opposed the selection of an interim chief executive, a role later assumed by Mr Pengelly.