Sinn Féin bid to ban royals from 1916 commemorations

Sinn Féin delegates have backed a controversial motion to ban any British royal or government member from attending the 1916 Rising commemorations, despite a plea that the move will embarrass the party’s leadership.

The decision to make it official policy for Sinn Féin to oppose Queen Elizabeth II and her relatives from being invited to any State events was made on the first day of party’s ard fheis in Derry last night.

As part of a series of motions on social services, taxation and a united Ireland, the Keating-Sands Waterford cumann said the “importance of the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising” means “no member of either the British royal family or British government” should be invited to any official State event.