Sinn Fein: Belfast councillor suspended over alleged inappropriate online messages

Sinn Fein has suspended "without prejudice" a Belfast city councillor after an allegation that he exchanged inappropriate online messages with a minor.

The party's National Chairperson Declan Kearney said in a statement that the party whip had also been removed from Councillor JJ Magee.

However, solicitors for Mr Magee said he "absolutely denies any allegation of inappropriate conduct".

KRW Law said the complaint against its client had been made to the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards, adding that Mr Magee has lodged a 12,000-word, 38-page rebuttal with the commissioner.

The solicitors said Mr Magee had not made Sinn Fein aware of the complaint as there was "no substance" to it and he believed the matter would be resolved quickly by the commissioner.

In a statement last night (Sunday), Sinn Fein said: "Sinn Fein national chairperson Declan Kearney has stated that the chief executive of Belfast City Council has been notified that the Sinn Fein party whip has been removed from councillor JJ Magee.

"Councillor Magee has been suspended from the party without prejudice following receipt of an allegation that inappropriate online messages were exchanged between him and a minor. This has been forwarded to the social services and the PSNI, in compliance with Sinn Fein child safeguarding policy.

"The party will not be making any further comment as this matter is under active investigation by the appropriate authorities."

KRW Law said: "Our client absolutely denies any allegation of inappropriate conduct and in particular any conduct which may have occasioned a breach of the code of conduct for councillors."

The law firm insisted the complaint was "selective" and involved editing of signification portions of messages sent and received over a three-month period.

"Our client asserts that there is not a single line in any message sent by him which could be considered to be inappropriate," the statement added.

"Our client further confirms that he did not make Sinn Fein aware of this complaint as there was no substance to the complaint and he believed that the matter would be resolved quickly once all the facts were provided to the commissioner."

KRW Law said Mr Magee has disclosed "every single message" exchanged with the complainant and has fully engaged with the commissioner.

"Our client looks forward to being exonerated and having his good name restored," said the statement.

The solicitors said Mr Magee would not be making any further comment.

The development is the latest internal issue to hit Sinn Fein in recent months.

The party has faced criticism over its handling of a series of controversies, including those involving former press officer Michael McMonagle and ex-senator and former Belfast Lord Mayor Niall O Donnghaile.

Separately last month, it emerged that a Sinn Fein member had resigned from the party after admitting involvement in an incident where a portrait of former DUP lord mayor Lord Wallace Browne was damaged at Belfast City Hall.