SINN FÉIN has said it has suspended one of its councillors in Northern Ireland following allegations of child abuse.
The allegations refer to the abuse of a child, now an adult, by someone who is now an elected representative for the party.
The suspension in effect means the councillor is no longer a member of Sinn Féin, the party said yesterday.
“We suspended pending the outcome of any police or Public Prosecution Service investigation so you could be suspended for years,” a Sinn Féin spokesman said.
“We don’t run party disciplinary proceedings alongside criminal matters. Suspension means you are not a member of the party.”
The family of the alleged victim, according to yesterday’s Irish News, said they had brought the case to the attention of Sinn Féin members but not to the leadership.
“The family told members of Sinn Féin and we suspended her from the party, which is our policy,” the spokesman said. He said the party had written to social services to let them know of the suspension.
Sinn Féin said last night that party president Gerry Adams had not been aware of the case. The party said police had advised Mr Adams not to comment publicly on that or any other case.