Brian Stanley slams 'kangaroo court' as he resigns from Sinn Féin
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A second Sinn Féin TD has sensationally quit the party within the last five days.
Laois-Offaly TD Brian Stanley, who chairs the powerful Public Accounts Committee, made his announcement late on Saturday night, decrying the party for subjecting him to a "kangaroo court".
In a statement, Mr Stanley said he had recently been brought in front of a party inquiry and due to its outcomes was announcing his 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 of 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."
Mr Stanley added that he felt that the inquiry was not impartial and that the party had failed to handle it and other matters.
“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.” Mr Stanley's departure follows that of Kildare South TD Patricia Ryan, who stepped down on Wednesday, later saying that she felt that she had been "pushed" by internal party issues and that she had been stopped from asking negative questions to party leader Mary Lou McDonald.
The party was already reeling from the revelation that two staff members had given a reference to former press officer Michael McMonagle, who has admitted a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, after he had been arrested.
That issue has led to a planned Dáil session on the issue of child protection after the Government sought to have Sinn Féin answer questions on its handling of the issue.
In a statement this afternoon, Sinn Féin said that the issue at the heart of Mr Stanley's departure has been passed to gardaí.
A statement from party leader Mary Lou McDonald said that a complaint was made against Mr Stanley at the end of July by a "longstanding member of the party" and added that 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, the statement said “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.”