Sinn Féin still NI's wealthiest party

Sinn Féin has again emerged as Northern Ireland’s wealthiest party - earning and spending more than its political opponents - …

Sinn Féin has again emerged as Northern Ireland’s wealthiest party - earning and spending more than its political opponents - the Electoral Commission said today.

The party registered an income of £1,115,391 and spent £1,148,992, though the figures do not include its earnings and expenditure in the Republic.

In its latest financial figures for 2008, Sinn Féin reported it earned a further €1,367,117 in the Republic.

The party registered an overall operating deficit of £100,000.

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The Commission today published the accounts for all Northern Ireland parties with an income or expenditure of £250,000 or more. The DUP fell below the threshold and its accounts were published earlier in the year.

The Ulster Unionist Party had an income of £383,504 and spent £397,734, with the UUP reporting that it had dramatically cut both its debt and its operating costs.

The SDLP raised £291,931 and registered expenditure of £290,169. The party registered a small surplus having recorded a loss in 2007.

The Commission said all Northern Ireland parties had submitted their accounts to the Commission within the statutory deadline.