Electric vehicle charging points for members of the Northern Ireland Assembly have been suspended as a new payment system is introduced.

The decision by the Assembly Commission follows the revelation that some MLAs had been charging their electric vehicles at no cost at Parliament Buildings while simultaneously receiving a travel allowance for their commute. The allowance can exceed £6,500 per year.

Speaker Edwin Poots confirmed on Monday that the six free-to-use chargers in the upper car park will remain out of service until the new system is in place. Visitors to Stormont were previously required to pay for charging.

Mr Poots said that MLAs who used the free chargers will be contacted by officials to arrange reimbursement. He also stated that civil servants who used the chargers should repay the value of the electricity consumed.

The Assembly Commission met on Monday morning and formally agreed that all future electric vehicle charging on the estate will require payment. Data retention arrangements for the charging system will also be reviewed.

The charging points were originally installed in 2015. Mr Poots noted that decisions about their introduction and management were operational and did not involve commission members. Many MLAs have said they were unaware of the arrangements for their use.

The Speaker acknowledged legitimate public concern and said there was unanimous cross-party agreement to resolve the issue.