McGuinness to release bank details after calls from rivals
Mr McGuinness is expected to release details of his accounts today following the transfer of the documents to the Republic, his campaign team said last night.
Following a claim by Mr McGuinness at the weekend that he only took the average wage, the party’s candidate pledged he would openly reveal details of his account.
Figures being supplied were expected to show that he took the average wage, his officials said.
“He has been in touch with his bank manager to see what documentation he can get. There is no issue. If he can get the stuff, it will be faxed down,” said campaign publicity head Sean Mac Brádaigh.
Despite receiving an annual income of £112,000 (€131,000) as the North’s deputy first minister, Sinn Féin officials say that Mr McGuinness only takes the average industrial wage and that the rest of the money goes back into the party’s coffers.
Fine Gael presidential hopeful Gay Mitchell has already called on his competitor to reveal his income as well as his P60.
Mr Mac Brádaigh last night said details of the income of Mr McGuinness were expected to show that the candidate received a net income of £1,605 (€1,874) per month or £370.38 (€432.51) per week.
This amounts to £19,260 (€22,491) per year after tax.
Sinn Féin say their elected officials here only take the average income and that extra amounts go back into the party.
Other parties and TDs, including Fianna Fáil’s Éamon Ó Cuív, have argued that the money is ultimately used
for personal purposes as it funds local political work or campaigns.
Upon announcing his election bid for the party, Mr McGuinness pledged that he would only take the average industrial wage if elected to the Áras.