‘Expelled by text for helping dad’
THE decision to expel his son and wife from Fine Gael has been described as an attack on his family by John Perry.
Both decisions have since been reversed by the party following widespread criticism both from within and outside the party.
John Perry reacted angrily to the decision to cease the membership of his son and wife.
He said: “Come after me all you want, but please, don’t come after my family. particularly my son Jude, who has given tireless hours to Fine Gael. When has it become a crime for a son to help his father ?
“Jude is out of the country and away from his family, studying abroad and yet Fine Gael have expelled him.
“There has been no hearing, no fair process and no sufficient evidence provided. Just a text message to expel my son, for helping his dad. Such a lack of common decency and respect.”
It’s understood that Fine Gael expelled Jude from the party for assisting and supporting his father’s General Election campaign as an Independent Candidate, seemingly his action of promoting seven Facebook posts for less than €100 promoting his father’s election bid.
The Independent General Election candidate added: “I have learned that no member of the Fine Gael Executive Council was consulted about this decision to expel my son, Jude.
“The Party’s disciplinary committee was also not consulted … so who made this decision to expel a young member, without a hearing ?
“It’s quite evident now that certain people in Fine Gael are hurting at the great possibility of myself winning a seat on the 9 th February, and I intend to win a seat as the people of the North West do not like these bully-boy tactics towards my family.
“Both myself and Jude have been inundated with calls and messages of support. It’s another nasty attack on my family.
“I intend to show these people again my back bone, I will fight for my family and for the people of my constituency against these haters”.
On Twitter – Former Minister for Justice Alan Shatter (pictured) rolled in to support the Perry family stating: “Dynamic Young Fine Gael member Jude Perry arbitrarily expelled without any due process or opportunity to defend himself.
“His sin? His Dad, a General Election Candidate in Sligo, who once rightly took Fine Gael to court and won.
“Now, Fine Gael have a vendetta against his family. Once the compassionate ‘ law and order party ?’ Today’s FG have no decency and no moral compass. His son studying in Washington and not ‘actively engaged’ in the General Election”. John Perry concluded: “I am rattling a few feathers, I am determined to win the seat and I am getting great support all across the North West on my canvass. I am looking forward to returning to represent the people of Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and North Roscommon in Leinster House, and I will be elected an Independent and I will be remaining independent by the people always”.