DUP calls for probe of undeclared Venezuela trips by Sinn Fein duo
THE DUP is calling for an investigation into the failure of two Sinn Fein MPs to declare trips to Venezuela.
East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell accused the party of hypocrisy given its previous criticism of others on the same issue.
But Sinn Fein hit back and said that unlike Ian Paisley’s foreign trips, Sinn Fein politicians hadn’t been taking luxury holidays. It dismissed DUP sermonising on integrity as “laughable”.
Sinn Fein attended the inauguration of Nicolas Maduro as Venezuelan President last month.
Newry and Armagh MP Mickey Brady visited Venezuela for a congressional election in July 2017 and South Down MP Chris Hazzard was there for a presidential one in May 2018. Mr Campbell (below), who raised the issue in the House of Commons yesterday, said: “Mickey Brady MP and Chris Hazzard MP were observers at a sham election — one which blocked bona fide international observers.
“Sinn Fein representatives have become cheerleaders for a corrupt regime. They stand alone in supporting him while other presidents and countries, including the Irish Government, have backed the opposition leader.”
Mr Campbell continued: “The Standards Commission needs to investigate why these trips were not declared. This issue poses yet more questions for the Sinn Fein leadership to deal with.”
Mr Campbell said Sinn Fein had repeatedly lectured others on integrity and transparency. “It now appears that two of their MPs who refuse to take their seats, but do take parliamentary costs, travel and accommodation, have failed to register trips sponsored by foreign regimes,” he said.
“Not taking a seat does not exempt them from parliamentary standards and rules. The ‘do as I say, not as I do’ policy continues and the irony is not lost. I have made the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner aware and have asked for an investigation.”
But Mr Brady dismissed the DUP MP’s claims, saying: “Unlike Ian Paisley, these were not luxury holidays.” He said that the Sinn Fein representatives had received no payment and no personal gain.
“Comments about integrity from the DUP are laughable in the context of the RHI scandal, Red Sky and Nama,” he added.
The two Sinn Fein MPs travelled to Venezuela as members of delegations of international observers including journalists, diplomats, trade unionists, US politicians, academics and economists.
The cost of their travel was met by CNE, the Venezuelan National Electoral Council. The Sinn Fein
politicians did not receive any remuneration.
Meanwhile, SDLP MLA Justin McNulty has slammed Sinn Fein’s decision to attend President Maduro’s inauguration and said it was “beyond comprehension” that any political party claiming to be democratic could do so.
“More than 20 other nations have branded Mr Maduro’s presidency as illegitimate. How can Mary Lou McDonald seriously countenance her party representatives travelling to Venezuela to celebrate a man who is making life for his people a living hell?” he said.
“What is worse is that Venezuela covered the cost of Sinn Fein’s attendance, yet President Maduro won’t even allow humanitarian aid into the country for citizens who are caught up in an economic crisis of his making.”
But Mr Brady accused Mr McNulty of “deflection politics” given the current turmoil in the SDLP. “Sinn Fein refuse to condone any violations of democratic or human rights being perpetrated by any side within Venezuela, or attempts to foment anti-democratic activity or violence in the country by outside regional forces,” he said.