Sinn Féin takes MP funds fight to Lords

Sinn Féin go to Britain's House of Lords today to fight a British government decision to deny its MPs thousands of pounds because they refuse to take their seats in the British Parliament.

It is the latest stage in the bid by the republican party’s four MPs to get their hands on Policy Development Grants.

Efforts in the courts in Northern Ireland have failed.

The party have branded the refusal to give them the money an act of discrimination – made all the worse for them by the money being divided between MPs from other parties in Northern Ireland.

Speaking ahead of the hearing, Michelle Gildernew, the Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, said: “The original decision to deny Sinn Féin Policy Development Grants in line with our mandate and representation was an act of political discrimination.

“The decision to allocate the monies due to Sinn Féin amongst our political opponents further exacerbated the situation.”

She said that given the “political bias” and make up of the judiciary in Northern Ireland, the party had always believed they would have to go to the higher court to achieve a “just verdict”.

The case goes to the Law Lords for an oral hearing today.

“Sinn Féin remains committed to challenge this inequality and act of discrimination against our electors until we get this disgraceful practice ended,” said Ms Gildernew.