'High profile' Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley announces shock departure from party
Deputy Stanley says he will continue working as an Independent Republican TD
Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley resigned from Sinn Fein with immediate effect on Saturday night.
The Chairman of the Dail’s Public Accounts Committee has been a member of Sinn Fein for 40 years.
“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 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.
"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 concluded.
The bombshell announcement comes just days after Kildare-South Sinn Fein TD Patricia Ryan announced her departure from the party.