Stanley resigns from Sinn Féin over internal inquiry

Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley has resigned from the party but said he would remain a "republican TD" outside the party.

First elected to the Dáil in 2011, Mr Stanley has been involved with Sinn Féin for 40 years.

Mr Stanley is the chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts.

The Laois TD said his decision follows on from a complaint that saw him "brought before an internal party inquiry".

Mr Stanley described the inquiry process as flawed.

"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," Mr Stanley said.

Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan accused Mr Stanley of putting out half a story and urged him to reveal the complaint that led to the internal party investigation being launched.

Mr Stanley said the process lacked objectivity and in many ways resembled a kangaroo court.

Speaking on Newstalk, Ms Boylan said: "Brian could end all of this today, and actually could tell people what he was being investigated for, if he felt so hard done by in terms of that process."

She said that the complaint process was ongoing.

Mr Stanley also alleged that a clique within the party went to extreme lengths to damage his reputation and character.

Responding to this charge, Ms Boylan said: "He's throwing out accusations, but not giving any substance as to what the nature of those accusations are so that's, I suppose, very unfair."

Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly said he was disappointed by the news of Brian Stanley's resignation from the party.

Paying tribute on The Week in Politics, Mr Daly said Mr Stanley had "good politics and had a good sense of humour".

Mr Daly said that internal difficulties and disputes happen in all parties and that he did not think there was any question of 'cliques'.

Mr Stanley's departure from Sinn Féin comes just days after Kildare-South TD Patricia Ryan resigned from the party.

Ms Ryan said she has been unhappy for around 18 months and has been asking Sinn Féin to deal with issues, but said they were left to "fester".

She said she had issues about being curtailed in what she would put up on Facebook, and with members being asked about questions for the leader in advance of meetings.