Sinn Fein Should Pay Back Allowances
04 November 2009
Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“It is interesting to note that Sir Christopher Kelly acknowledges that “the decision to give Sinn Féin Members the right to claim for the full range of expenses without taking up their seats in Parliament was a political one” flowing form the “peace process”. It is regrettable that the Committee decided not to express a view on whether this was right or wrong in principle. Patently it is wrong and Sir Christopher Kelly should have said so.
“However, I welcome Sir Kelly’s finding that “it is difficult to believe that paying rent for permanent accommodation when the MP concerned is only an occasional visitor to London can reasonably be regarded as representing value for money”. I am sure the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland and, indeed, the UK as a whole will share this view.
“That being the case, I am calling upon Sinn Fein/IRA to reimburse the taxpayer for their property payments. This is something Sir Christopher should have done.
“As Republicans still have £26 million from the Northern Bank – something which other Unionists said would have to be returned before they could enter government – it should be a small matter for them to pay back a few hundred thousand to the public purse.”
