Laois TD Brian Stanley has issued a new statement claiming that he was the subject of a “character assassination” before resigning from Sinn Féin.
The statement claims that Stanley’s rights were not protected by the party with the Deputy saying he welcomes, “the fact that Sinn Fein has belatedly referred the “complaint” and matters concerning it to the Gardai. This has been advocated by me for some time, including to a senior Sinn Fein official,” Stanley’s statement which was issued through his legal representative said,
“The party should have referred it to the Gardai once both myself and my legal representative brought certain serious matters to the attention of the “panel” on 11 September.” he said.
“Mary Lou McDonald has stated correctly that the complaint made against me is not of a criminal nature.”
“Statements by the party leadership now asserting that my rights were protected throughout this process are totally incorrect.” he claimed.
Stanley says he does not agree with the account of events given by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald saying, “This complaint, which I refute, was lodged with the party on the very first day (26 July), that the 10-day nomination process opened for members such as myself to be put forward to contest the general election. In my case this had the effect of preventing me of having any hope of contesting it as a Sinn Fein candidate for Laois.”
Stanley claims he has “written proof” that Sinn Féin were informed of the allegation on 26th July, and disputes the version of events given by McDonald on Morning Ireland this morning in which she said the statement from the complainant was received in August and that Stanley had been represented by a barrister a solicitor through the process and had been treated “without fear or favour”.
“It was received by Sinn Féin on the 26 July and I obtained written proof of this from them. Mary Lou Mc Donald has given wrong information by stating that it was only received on the 2 August. As a matter of fact, I made her aware in person on July 29 of it and that certain information regarding it had been circulated by party members,” he said.
Deputy Stanley claimed that, “information had been deliberately kept from me that there was a complaint or the nature of it. An “omerto” [sic] was in place. One middle ranking party member instructed other members that I was not to be informed of its existence. In actual fact I had to get my solicitor, 6 days later, to write to the party (31 July) to ascertain what was the nature of this complaint!”
He continued saying, “In the intervening period ie from July 26, the process of character assassination was well underway by a certain party clique and has continued unabated since then. These facts and others mean that there has been a significant abuse of process and when it was brought to the attention of the Sinn Féin “panel” it was simply brushed aside,” he said.
“I stand over what I stated two days ago regarding what the party refer to as an “inquiry”,” he concluded.
In a statement issued yesterday, Mary Lou McDonald said, “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. 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.”
She continued, “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.
McDonald said Sinn Féin would “not ignore or hide away from difficult issues when they arise” adding that, “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.”
As Gript previously reported, Deputy Stanley announced his sudden resignation from the party issuing a statement to the effect of,
“I am announcing my resignation from Sinn Féin with immediate effect.
“After 40 years of service to Sinn Féin, I will now continue working as an Independent Republican TD on behalf of constituents, who have always treated me in a fair and respectful manner.
“In recent months a certain clique within the party have gone to extreme lengths to damage my reputation and character. No efforts have been spared by them in this regard.
“On foot of a ‘complaint’ I was recently brought before an internal party ‘inquiry’.
“Given what has transpired and the work of my legal team, what is very clear, is this process lacked objectivity, was seriously flawed and was devoid of impartiality.
“This ‘inquiry’ has been shown to have lacked any shred of credibility, not least due to a significant abuse of process. In many ways it resembled a type of kangaroo court. Legal examination of this matter will continue.
“Considering what I have experienced and how Sinn Féin has dealt with this and other matters across the wider party in recent months, I can no longer have confidence in it.” he said.