Sinn Féin: Sanctions 'out of order'

Sinn Féin is incensed by the sanctions against the party announced today by Northern Secretary Paul Murphy, claiming the Secretary of State was out of order.

Alex Maskey, one of the party’s senior representatives, said: “Paul Murphy has no right to discriminate against democratically-elected Irish politicians.”

The South Belfast MLA also challenged the Irish Government to back up claims that it was opposed to penalties.

“If they are co-equal partners with the British in the management of this process, are they prepared to block these sanctions?” he asked.

“The British government has no right to act unilaterally if this is a partnership arrangement.

“More importantly, the Irish Government has a duty to defend the rights of Irish people and their political representatives. Will they do so? Will they stand up to the British government? Either the Irish Government are co-equal partners or they are not.”