Parliament and Politics: Legal attempt to unseat Belfast MP fails
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A BELFAST court yesterday rejected a republican attempt to unseat Joe Hendron, the moderate nationalist MP who last year wrested West Belfast from the Sinn Fein president, Gerry Adams, writes David McKittrick.
A special electoral court presided over by two judges found the Social Democratic and Labour Party MP and his agent, Thomas Kelly, guilty of breaching laws covering election expenses. But it cleared them of any corrupt practice, and said the offences had come about by 'inadvertence and not by any want of good faith'. Dr Hendron said he was delighted.
He was found guilty of illegal practices in filing and delivering expenses. These had exceeded the maximum amount by pounds 782 because of Mr Kelly's inexperience. The case was brought by a supporter of Sinn Fein, which had hoped for a corruption verdict to bring about a by-election.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments