Sinn Fein suspends councilor over objectionable reporting allegations

A Belfast city councilor has been suspended by Sinn Fein following allegations that he exchanged inappropriate messages online with a minor.

The party said it suspended JJ Magee without prejudice, referring the matter to social services and the PSNI.

Mr Magee’s lawyers said he “strongly denies any allegations of misconduct”.

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

Lawyers said Mr Magee did not tell Sinn Féin about the complaint because there was “no substance” to it and he believed the matter would be dealt with quickly by the commissioner.

In a statement on Sunday evening, Sinn Féin said: “Sinn Féin national chairman Declan Kearney said the chief executive of Belfast City Council had been informed that councilor J. Jay Magee has been ousted as Sinn Féin’s party whip.

“Councillor Magee has been suspended from the party without prejudice following an allegation that inappropriate online messages were exchanged between him and a minor. This was referred to social services and the PSNI under Sinn Fein’s child protection policy.

“The party will not be making any further comments as this matter is being actively investigated by the relevant authorities.”

KRW Law said: “Our client strongly denies any allegations of misconduct, including any conduct that may have breached the advisers’ code of conduct.”

The law firm insisted the complaint was “selective” and involved the redaction of flagging portions of messages sent and received over a three-month period.

“Our client claims that there is no line in any message he sent that could be considered inappropriate,” the statement added.

“Our client also confirms that he did not report this complaint to Sinn Féin as there was no substance to the complaint and he believed the matter would be resolved quickly once all the facts were provided to the commissioner.”

KRW Law said Mr Magee disclosed “every single message” he exchanged with the complainant and co-operated fully with the commissioner.

“Our client looks forward to vindication and restoration of his good name,” the statement said.

Lawyers said Mr Magee would not comment further.

The development is the latest internal challenge for Sinn Fein in recent months.

The party has faced criticism for its handling of a number of controversies, including those involving former press officer Michael McMonagle and ex-senator Niall Ó Donghaill.

In September, McMonagle, 42, of Limewood Street, Londonderry, pleaded guilty to a number of offences, including attempting to incite a child to commit sexual acts.

It later emerged that two other press officers, who have since left the party, had given him job recommendations after Sinn Féin suspended him amid police investigations.

Those links allowed McMonagle to get a job with the British Heart Foundation in 2022, without the charity being aware of the allegations.

Last month, former Sinn Féin senator and Belfast mayor Mr Ó Donghaile said he had quit the Seanad and quit the party last December following a complaint alleging he had sent inappropriate text messages to a teenager.

Sinn Fein referred the matter to the PSNI and social services last September, but no criminal investigation has been launched.

Separately, it emerged last month that a member of Sinn Féin had quit the party after admitting involvement in an incident where a portrait of former DUP Lord Mayor Lord Wallace Browne was vandalized at Belfast City Hall.

Earlier in October, prominent Sinn Féin CTO Brian Stanley quit the party amid controversy surrounding a complaint against him.

He claimed he had been subjected to “character assassination” by a clique within the party and likened its processes to a kangaroo court. Sinn Fein rejected his claims and insisted it had dealt with the matter in accordance with proper procedures.

His resignation comes days after fellow Sinn Fein member Patricia Ryan left the party.

She said her departure was in response to the fact that the party was “undermining” her.