The Northern Ireland Assembly has confirmed it holds records of which MLAs used free electric vehicle charging points at Parliament Buildings, reversing an earlier claim that no such information was retained.

The charging points were made available to MLAs as part of a scheme to encourage sustainable travel. A recent BBC investigation revealed that some members who drive electric cars were using the facility to charge their vehicles without cost, while also claiming travel expenses.

After the report, four MLAs were identified as having used the chargers: Pam Cameron and Trevor Clarke of the DUP, David Honeyford of Alliance, and Robbie Butler of the UUP. All are said to have acted within the Assembly’s rules at the time.

The Assembly initially said it did not keep records of who booked the charging bays. It later emerged that backup systems contained data going back six months. Officials are now examining that information.

Following public criticism, the charging facility was closed pending the installation of a payment system. Arrangements were also made for the MLAs involved to repay the cost of the electricity used.