Sinn Fein offers to show finances before debate

Sinn Féin today offered to open the party's finances for examination in an effort to dispel doubts about where it channels cash…

Sinn Féin today offered to open the party's finances for examination in an effort to dispel doubts about where it channels cash donations from overseas.

The offer came ahead of tonight's House of Commons debate on whether to grant Northern Ireland special exemption from tough new legislation on party political funding.

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I think the media... will find that every single dollar is documented
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Sinn Féin chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin

The party is thought to rely heavily on foreign donations, particularly from the United States.

But some unionists have long held doubts as to whether the all the money raised has been used solely for political purposes.

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Sinn Féin chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin insisted today the "extensive diplomacy and publicity operation" in the US had benefited the peace process.

"I think the media, even with the most cursory examination of that, and let me invite them to do so, will find that every single dollar is documented," he said.

"There's the most rigorous accountancy systems insisted upon by financial authorities in the United States.

"They will actually see precisely how much money was raised. They will also be able to see precisely how that money was used."

Mr McLaughlin, Northern Ireland Assembly member for Foyle, also told BBC Radio Ulster that as an all-Ireland party, Sinn Féin would oppose any attempts by the Government to impose similar restrictions to those which have angered the Scottish Nationalist Party.

PA