Sinn Fein says it told Brian Stanley to go to Gardai during complaint process

Sinn Fein claims it advised Brian Stanley to speak to the gardai because of concerns he had raised during an internal investigation into a complaint against him.

The development came in response to press questions about conflicting deadlines proposed by Mr. Stanley and party leader Mary Lou McDonald, who were characterized by Taoiseach Simon Harris as adding “another layer of confusion and lack of clarity” to the issue.

Earlier, Mr Stanley accused Sinn Fein members of orchestrating a “smear” against him, saying matters relating to the process should have been referred to the gardai “some time ago”.

A long-standing member made a first contact with the party about Mr Stanley at the end of July. Sinn Fein said it lodged a full complaint in early August.

A committee of two other senior party members and a lawyer, also a Sinn Fein member, was set up as part of the party’s internal disciplinary processes to investigate the complaint, Ms McDonald said.

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He made preliminary filings earlier this month and requested statements or corrections before the final document was prepared.

Mr Stanley, who has been a Laois-Offaly TD since 2011 and chair of the Oireachtas public accounts committee, announced his resignation from Sinn Fein on Saturday, comparing the internal disciplinary process to a kangaroo court.

Sinn Fein then referred the initial complaint, and a “serious” counter-allegation by Mr Stanley that arose during the investigation, to the gardai on Sunday.

On Monday, Ms. McDonald and Mr. Stanley both said the initial complaint was not criminal in nature.

She said: “Had the initial complaint been of a criminal nature it would have been made directly to An Garda Siochana. »

When asked why the matter had since been referred to the gardai, Ms McDonald replied: “I want to be clear here: I am not in a position to say whether or not the complaint or counter-allegation meets the standards of a criminal investigation. It’s not my job.

“But I am much happier that the complaint and counter-allegation are now in the hands of the gardai and they can do what they see fit.”

Also on Monday, Mr Stanley – who rejects the original complaint – welcomed the referral of the investigation to the gardai, saying: “This is what I have been advocating for some time. »

He added that he believed the matter should have been referred to the gardai after he and his legal representative brought “some serious matters” to the attention of the commission of inquiry on September 11.

Mr. Stanley claimed that an “omerto” (sic) was in place to hide information from him.

Mr Stanley and Ms McDonald initially appeared to propose different timelines for the process.

Speaking on RTE radio on Monday, Ms McDonald said she only became aware of the details of the complaint after Mr Stanley’s resignation, saying the entire investigation process had taken place “at arm’s length from the party”.

Sinn Fein later clarified the timeline and confirmed that the party leader “had a brief exchange” on July 29 about the possibility of a complaint, but its nature was not revealed.

He adds that “he was advised to go and see the gardai” about a concern he had raised, but chose not to do so.

Speaking to reporters on Monday evening, Simon Harris said: “Objectively, today has given rise to more questions than answers. »

He added: “My position on this from the start has been very clear, it’s not about engaging in some sort of political back and forth, it’s about the need for the leader of the Sinn Fein to honestly disclose all information. »