Plans underway to house Sinn Féin in Commons

Plans for Sinn Fein's MPs to be allowed to use facilities at Westminster, in spite of their refusal to sit in the Commons, are to go before Parliament.

Sinn Féin are currently denied access to offices and other privileges because of their refusal to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen. The republican party has four MPs - more than the moderate nationalist SDLP.

The House of Commons leader Robin Cook told MPs a motion would go before the Commons next week.

Sinn Fein’s Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP, Michelle Gildernew welcomed the move. She said: “Sinn Féin have made it clear that we will pursue all of the democratic rights that we are entitled as a result of our democratic mandate. This includes the use of facilities at Westminster. We will not be swearing an oath of allegiance to the British Queen and we will not be taking our seats in Westminster. This likely development will benefit our electorate and overcome decades of misinformation. It is a result of repeatedly pushing the British government on this issue. The use of Westminster facilities is vital to the vindication of our electoral mandate.”

However even if the party’s four Members of Parliament are granted office space and access to the extensive research department, they will not receive their salaries because of their refusal to swear allegiance to the Queen. (AMcE)