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04/11/2024
Sinn Féin Councillor Suspended After Allegations
A Sinn Féin councillor has been suspended from the party without prejudice following an allegation that he exchanged inappropriate online messages with a minor.
Cllr JJ Magee "absolutely denies" any allegation of inappropriate conduct.
Sinn Féin issued a statement on Sunday night regarding the matter, during which a spokesperson for the party said: "Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney has stated that the Chief Executive of Belfast City Council has been notified that the Sinn Féin party whip has been removed from Cllr JJ Magee.
"Cllr Magee has been suspended from the party without prejudice following receipt of an allegation that inappropriate online messages were exchanged between him and a minor. This has been forwarded to the Social Services and the PSNI, in compliance with Sinn Féin child safeguarding policy.
"The party will not be making any further comment as this matter is under active investigation by the appropriate authorities."
Meanwhile, legal firm KRK Law also released a statement on behalf of Magee, which stressed the councillor's denial of the allegation.
"Our client has lodged a 12,000 word, 38 page rebuttal to a complaint which has been lodged with the NI Local Government Commissioner for Standards," it read.
"Our client absolutely denies any allegation of inappropriate conduct and in particular any conduct which may have occasioned a breach of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.
"Our client asserts that there is not a single line in any message sent by him which could be considered to be inappropriate. Our client further confirms that he did not make Sinn Féin aware of his complaint as there was no substance to the complaint and he believed that the matter would be resolved quickly once all the facts were provided to the Commissioner.
"Our client has disclosed every single message sent and received, to and from the complainant. Our client has fully engaged with the NILGCS who will ensure due process. Our client looks forward to being exonerated and having his good name restored."
The statement added: "Our client does not intend to make any further comment in light of the ongoing investigation by the NILGCS."
Cllr JJ Magee "absolutely denies" any allegation of inappropriate conduct.
Sinn Féin issued a statement on Sunday night regarding the matter, during which a spokesperson for the party said: "Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney has stated that the Chief Executive of Belfast City Council has been notified that the Sinn Féin party whip has been removed from Cllr JJ Magee.
"Cllr Magee has been suspended from the party without prejudice following receipt of an allegation that inappropriate online messages were exchanged between him and a minor. This has been forwarded to the Social Services and the PSNI, in compliance with Sinn Féin child safeguarding policy.
"The party will not be making any further comment as this matter is under active investigation by the appropriate authorities."
"Our client has lodged a 12,000 word, 38 page rebuttal to a complaint which has been lodged with the NI Local Government Commissioner for Standards," it read.
"Our client absolutely denies any allegation of inappropriate conduct and in particular any conduct which may have occasioned a breach of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.
"Our client asserts that there is not a single line in any message sent by him which could be considered to be inappropriate. Our client further confirms that he did not make Sinn Féin aware of his complaint as there was no substance to the complaint and he believed that the matter would be resolved quickly once all the facts were provided to the Commissioner.
"Our client has disclosed every single message sent and received, to and from the complainant. Our client has fully engaged with the NILGCS who will ensure due process. Our client looks forward to being exonerated and having his good name restored."
The statement added: "Our client does not intend to make any further comment in light of the ongoing investigation by the NILGCS."
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