Gerry Adams: Sandra McLellan had no intention of joining rivals

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has quizzed TD Sandra McLellan after it emerged she has held exploratory talks about joining rival group the Independent Alliance.

Mr Adams confirmed he spoke to the Cork East Sinn Féin TD “by telephone a short while ago” after the Irish Examiner revealed the embattled representative has met with Independent Alliance TD John Halligan about the potential move.

Mr Adams said after speaking with Ms McLellan — who confirmed this year she will not run for the party again after being the subject of an alleged bullying campaign by constituency colleagues — that “she never had any intention” of leaving the organisation.