Overview
- People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll is submitting the motion on Monday, with the SDLP offering their Opposition Day next week for a debate and the minister due to make a statement at midday with an urgent question anticipated.
- Party positions are splitting, with the UUP refusing to back the move, DUP leader Gavin Robinson declaring Givan is going nowhere, and Alliance meeting this morning to decide its stance.
- The challenge follows the Department of Education promoting Givan’s visit to the Ofek School in Israeli-occupied territory during a trip arranged by the Israeli government, which he says did not cost the public.
- Scrutiny has intensified after the department confirmed no officials accompanied the visit, teachers’ unions called the post overtly political, and questions were raised about compliance with the SpAds Bill and UK policy.
- Public pressure has grown with a Belfast City Hall protest and more than 12,000 petition signatures urging resignation, though Stormont’s cross-community rules mean a simple majority would not remove the minister.