Complaint that led to Brian Stanley’s resignation ‘passed to gardaí’

A complaint at the center of a disciplinary investigation against Brian Stanley has been referred to gardai, the Sinn Fein leader has said.

In a statement, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “A complaint was made against MP Brian Stanley at the end of July by a long-standing member of the party and a committee was set up as part of our internal disciplinary processes to investigate the complaint.

“During the preliminary stages of the investigation, additional information was provided which gave rise to a counter-allegation.

“Congressman Stanley’s rights have been protected throughout this process. He was accompanied, as was his right, by a solicitor and a lawyer at the meeting with the disciplinary commission.

“A preliminary report was given to both individuals last week and they were given seven days to respond. At the same time, the party sought external legal advice.

“The internal process has now been suspended and the matter has been referred to An Garda Siochana. Brian Stanley and the other party were informed of this.

“We will not ignore or hide from difficult issues when they arise. These are not results anyone likes to see, but let me be clear: we have robust procedures in place to deal with these issues and they will be followed at all times and will apply equally to all party members .

In a statement released on Saturday evening, Mr Stanley, who has been a senior member of the party as chairman of the Dáil Public Accounts Committeesaid he had been “treated unfairly” during an internal investigation.

Mr Stanley has been a TD for Laois-Offaly since 2011 and was first elected to Laois County Council in 1999.

Mr Stanley, who is also chairman of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, said he was ending his 40-year association with the party and would remain an independent “republican TD”.

In a statement released to Laois Today on Saturday evening, Mr Stanley said his decision followed a “complaint” made about him which led to an internal party investigation.

He questioned the party’s process, saying it was “seriously flawed.”

“This ‘investigation’ has been shown to lack any credibility, including a significant abuse of process,” Mr Stanley said.

“In many ways it was like a sort of kangaroo court. The legal review of this matter will continue.

Senior party figures later hit back after Mr Stanley’s shock decision.

Speaking on Newstalk Sunday morning, Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan said Mr. Stanley was “publishing half a story.” She also encouraged him to reveal the nature of the complaint that gave rise to the investigation.

“Brian could end this today, and could actually tell people why he was under investigation, if he felt so mistreated in this process.”

In his statement, Mr Stanley said a group of people within the party had gone to extreme lengths to damage its reputation.

In response, Ms Boylan said: ‘He’s making accusations, but not giving any substance as to what those accusations are, so it’s very unfair.’

In his initial statement, Mr Stanley said he felt weakened within the party and that a “certain clique” within Sinn Féin was seeking to harm him.