Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has issued a statement in response to Brian Stanley’s announcement last night that he has resigned from the party.
Stanley, who has been a member of Sinn Féin for 40 years and a TD since 2011, said he had been the subject of an internal ‘Kangaroo Court’ and that he would be remaining as an ‘Independent Republican TD’.
“A complaint was made against Deputy Brian Stanley at the end of July by a longstanding member of the party and a panel was set up under our internal disciplinary processes to investigate the complaint,” said Ms McDonald in her statement issued via the Sinn Féin press office this afternoon.
“During the preliminary stages of the inquiry, further information was brought forward which resulted in a counter allegation being made.
“Deputy Stanley’s rights were protected throughout this process. He had, as was his right, a solicitor and a barrister with him at the meeting with the disciplinary panel.
“A preliminary report was furnished to both individuals last week and they were given seven days to respond. At the same time outside legal advice was sought by the party.
“The internal process has now been suspended and the issue has been passed to An Garda Síochána. Brian Stanley and the other party have been informed of this.
“We will not ignore or hide away from difficult issues when they arise.
“These are not outcomes that anyone likes to see but let me be clear we have robust procedures for dealing with these issues and they will be followed at all times and apply equally to all members of the party.”
Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin Lynn Boylan earlier said she was sad to see Stanley leave the party, and defended Sinn Féin by saying there are “checks and balances” for all of its members.
“It’s not good news to wake up on a Sunday morning to hear that Brian Stanley has left. But there is, I suppose, checks and balances and processes when you’re a member of an organisation,” Boylan told Anton Savage on Newstalk.
“There was an investigation ongoing. Brian decided to leave before that process was concluded. During that entire investigation, his barrister and his solicitor were present at the meetings, so it’s disappointing that he didn’t allow the process to continue.”
She further called on Stanley to outline “what the allegation was” that led to the internal discipline process.
