Sinn Fein West Tyrone MLA resigns

SINN Fein West Tyrone MLA Catherine Kelly has resigned.

In a statement released this afternoon, she said, “Last week the party correctly intervened in relation to the failure to immediately return money that had incorrectly been paid into a party account in West Tyrone.

“I have been a signatory to that account for a number of years and as such had a responsibility to ensure it was operated to the highest standard. That did not happen in this case.

“I believe that as a public representative this is not acceptable and therefore I have tendered my resignation as a member of the Assembly with immediate effect.”

Ms Kelly added, “I apologise unreservedly to the party, to those who vote for us and to the wider public.”

Sinn Fein party leader, Mary Lou McDonald, said she had accepted the resignation, adding that the party’s examination of the matter was now complete.

“As leader I once again acknowledge and apologise for the clear failure to immediately reimburse public money,” she added.