DUP slams Sinn Fein 'duplicity' over St Patrick's Day boycott - after claim US arm made record donations to Trump's party
A DUP MLA has accused Sinn Fein of “duplicity” after newspaper reports that its US fundraising arm sharply increased donations to Republican candidates during President Trump’s time in office.
The party will again boycott St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Washington this year, citing the American leader’s approach to Israel’s war with Islamists in Gaza.
At the weekend, the Sunday Times reported that filings with the US justice department showed Friends of Sinn Fein (FoSF) had made no contributions to Republican figures prior to 2017. But during President Trump’s first term, 11 separate donations were made to Republican candidates and committees.
Jonathan Buckley told the Assembly there “has been a certain irony” over Sinn Féin’s claiming that it is boycotting a visit to the White House on St Patrick's Day, “only for it to be later clarified that it was not, in fact, invited in the first place”.
The Upper Bann MLA then raised the party’s US fundraising wing – and the newspaper report about its backing for US Republicans under Donald Trump.
“Let us remember why Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neill told us they would not attend St Patrick's Day in the White House: they were going to take a principled position against President Trump and his Administration.
“Well, it would appear that that so-called position of principle is easily traded on the back of a $100 note. This weekend's 'Sunday Times' says it best: it reveals that Sinn Féin has continued with record donations to President Trump's Republican Party during his time as president”. he said.
The DUP MLA added: “How brass-necked can you get? Where is the accountability? Nothing is louder than the echo of a mask slipping, especially when the face beneath it contradicts every word that they continue to say in public.
“By contrast, the DUP will be in Washington. We will stand up and speak out for the people of Northern Ireland, progressing and promoting business and progressing and strengthening the economic ties”.
Sinn Fein has been contacted for a response to Mr Buckley’s comments.