In 2009, Houghton objected to the Gender Recognition Bill as he believed new laws to protect the rights of transsexuals living on the Isle of Man would "defy common decency".
In December 2014, it was discovered that out of the 24 MHKs he was the only one not paying into the Tynwald Members Pension Scheme (despite an earlier statement to the contrary).
[5] Houghton has been reprimanded or disciplined on a number of occasions by the President of Tynwald and the Speaker of the House of Keys for his unparliamentary language.
[6] In May 2016, Houghton was the subject of a parliamentary committee report brought before Tynwald due to accusations of "lying, bullying and interfering in a staff dispute".
His behaviour was also described as ‘unrelenting, aggressive and unprecedented’ and led to a member of staff in the Clerk of Tynwald's office resigning.