Sinn Féin move to end dual mandates

Sinn Féin MP for Mid Ulster Martin McGuinness is to resign his seat, forcing a by-election, as part of a shake-up to end Sinn Féin dual mandates at Westminster.

Party president Gerry Adams said Sinn Féin’s four other MPs will stand down from the Northern Ireland Assembly where new representatives can be put in their place without further elections.

Mr Adams said his party would continue to refuse to sit in Westminster, but wanted to avoid creating a string of electoral contests by resigning all five of its parliamentary seats.

Stormont politicians have been heavily criticised in the past for holding posts in local councils, the devolved Stormont Assembly and at Westminster.

Mr Adams said: “The key thing to be said about this issue is that other parties are talking about ending dual mandate, Sinn Féin has ended dual mandate.”