Alliance Party members have criticised Jon Burrows, Ulster Unionist Party leader and former PSNI professional standards head, over his denial of hearing misogynistic language in the police service. Nuala McAllister stated on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show that she does not believe Burrows' account. She added that many others would share this view given his past role in internal discipline.

The dispute follows a report by Jan Melia, former CEO of Women's Aid Federation NI, into the PSNI's handling of Katie Simpson's 2020 death and the investigation of suspect Jonathan Cresswell. Commissioned last February by Justice Minister Naomi Long, the report identified institutional misogyny in the PSNI, including misogynistic language.

Melia highlighted Police Ombudsman interviews that described Cresswell as a 'bad boy' or 'philanderer' instead of a violent perpetrator. She noted this language trivialises male aggression, protects perpetrators, and undermines female victims.

Burrows told a reporter this week that he had not heard misogynistic language in the PSNI for a long time, and any instances were challenged. He repeated on the Nolan Show that no one used such remarks openly in front of him, though he had seen reports of it during his professional standards time, leading to dismissal recommendations where evidence existed.

Burrows said he would dismiss any misogynistic, racist, or sectarian officers. He described himself as someone to whom such comments would not be made due to his known standards.

Naomi Long, Alliance leader, called Burrows' remarks utterly insensitive on social media. McAllister described his statement as hurtful and noted that not all misogynistic behaviour is recognised by those engaging in it.