According to Sinn Féin, when former TD Brian Stanley brought up issues during a preliminary party inquiry looking into a complaint against him, he was told to see the gardaí.
A party spokeswoman, however, stated that Mr. Stanley decided against doing so, adding that he was well informed of his rights and entitlements and was accompanied by his counsel and barrister.
The party has attested to receiving the complaint against Mr. Stanley on July 26.
According to the spokeswoman, on August 1st, the disciplinary committee got in touch with the complainant and explained the steps involved in filing a formal complaint.
“She then submitted a full statement on 2 August. This marked the official commencement of the disciplinary process,” they said, reports RTE.
The party also reiterated in a statement that the party leader had a brief conversation with Mr. Stanley on July 29, as reported earlier today on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
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“In that conversation, Deputy Stanley indicated that he thought that a complaint might be made about him. The nature of the potential complaint was not discussed or disclosed. The party leader informed him that any complaint, if made, would be dealt with through the party disciplinary process,” they said, reports RTE.
The spokesperson added: “Following the completion of the preliminary stage of the inquiry and report, and having taken further legal advice the party has referred both the complaint and counter allegation to the gardaí. It is now for the gardaí to decide if any of the matters we have brought to their attention require further investigation,” reports RTE.
Mr. Stanley previously stated that when Sinn Féin brought severe issues to the notice of the party’s disciplinary panel on September 11, he ought to have filed a complaint with the Gardaí.
Through his attorney, Mr. Stanley released a statement applauding Sinn Féin’s decision to now refer a complaint to the Gardaí, reports RTE.
Mary Lou McDonald, the party’s head, has “stated correctly that the complaint” against him is “not of a criminal nature,” he added.
“Totally incorrect” are the party leadership’s assertions that his rights were upheld throughout the complaints procedure, he added.
According to Mr. Stanley, the complaint was submitted to Sinn Féin on July 26, the day members could begin submitting nominations to run in the general election, reports RTE.
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