Derry leadership members oppose Sinn Féin step-aside move Sinn Féin assembly members, Karen Mullan (left) and Martina Anderson (right), pictured with former MP, Elisha McCallion, have been asked to consider their positions following a review of poor election results in Derry. Seamus McKinney 30 April, 2021 01:00
Moves by Sinn Féin to replace the leadership of the party’s Derry organisation are being met with resistance by some local members, it is understood.
High profile assembly member, Martina Anderson and her Derry constituency colleague, Karen Mullan have been asked to “consider their positions” as part of a review following two disastrous elections in the city. Sinn Féin’s entire Derry leadership has also been asked to step-aside.
Two Sinn Féin assembly members in Derry told to consider their positions Two Sinn Féin assembly members in Derry, Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan, have been reportedly asked by the party to reconsider their positions. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire 29 April, 2021 01:00
Karen Mullan, a Sinn Fein assembly member in Derry, and fellow MLA, Martina Anderson, have been reportedly asked by the party to reconsider their positions
Two Sinn Féin assembly members in Derry have been asked by the party to consider their positions, it has been reported.
The Irish Examiner reported last night that Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan were informed of the move as part of a long investigation into the Derry Comhairle Ceantair, regarding election performance and governance.
Sinn Fein is “attempting to fix” internal party issues in Londonderry following recent election disappointments, a senior Assembly member has said.
Conor Murphy did not deny a report in the Irish Examiner newspaper that MLAs Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan have both been asked to consider their position following a review of operations in the Foyle constituency.
Elisha McCallion lost the Foyle Westminster seat to SDLP leader Colum Eastwood in 2019 by over 17,000 votes, and in the same year the party lost its majority on Derry City Council to the SDLP.
Former Sinn Fein MP Elisha McCallion (Niall Carson/PA)
A subsequent party review resulted in an “implementation plan” which last week saw the local party leadership in Derry asked to step aside.
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image captionMartina Anderson stepped down from her MEP role in 2020 and replaced Raymond McCartney as a Foyle MLA in March that year
Sinn Féin has asked two Foyle MLAs to consider their positions following a party restructure in Londonderry, BBC News NI understands.
Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan were informed last week by party officials, the Irish Examiner first reported.
Previously, the party have said they accepted recommendations from a review and will begin to set up an electoral strategy group in Derry.
It follows concerns by Sinn Féin around recent election results in Foyle.
Sinn Fein silent on claims that two Foyle MLAs have been asked to step down
Report suggests that Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan are considering their political futures
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Sinn Fein is refusing to comment on a report which claims that Foyle MLAs Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan have been asked to step down.
A report in the Irish Examiner newspaper suggests that the two local politicians have asked to consider their political futures as part of a major review of Sinn Fein s operations in Derry.
This followed a series of poor election performances by the party in the local area.