10 February 2026
Naomi Long's comment that nationalist MLAs are excluded from the Justice Minister's post because they do not engage constructively with their unionist neighbours was deeply unworthy and unacceptable, SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA has said.
The current allocation of the Justice Ministry portfolio is undemocratic and like wider NI Assembly structures, in need of reform to reflect the society it serves.
When challenged today about the exclusion of the Justice department from the d'Hondt process of ministerial appointments and the effective exclusion of nationalist politicians from the role, the Minister said: "Perhaps if you engaged more constructively with your unionist neighbours."
Since devolution of policing and justice 2010, the appointment of Justice Minister has been excluded from the d'Hondt process, which has led to the effective barring of nationalist-designated MLAs from the role - which has only ever been held by an Alliance or independent unionist MLA.
Matthew O'Toole MLA said:
"Naomi Long's jibe today isn't just unworthy and unacceptable, it's offensive. The SDLP is a proudly cross-community party yet the Justice Minister sought to dismiss our concerns about the exclusion of this post from the d'Hondt process.
"In the 25th year of the PSNI to believe it is acceptable that the position of Justice Minister is at the mercy of the DUP demonstrates an inability to restore and reinvigorate the rule of law in Northern Ireland.
"The Alliance Party is loudly and justifiably critical of votes where they have less say than other MLAs because they designate as 'other'. But they are happy to collude with the exclusion of any and all nationalists from the Justice ministry.
"Yet again, Naomi Long has shown she is quick to call out others, but all too contemptuous and dismissive when legitimately challenged."