SF Draft Report Finds Stanley's Actions Established As 'Sexual Harassment'

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An SF draft report found that Stanley’s actions were constituted as “sexual harassment”. This view of Brian Stanley, Sinn Féin TD was established by the draft report.

It is declared that his actions were taken as sheer misconduct and were a breach of party discipline along with Sinn Fein’s ethics charter.

Brian Stanley has always mentioned that the party’s procedure of handling complaints, like Brian Stanley complaint, has always been flawed and according to him, it was operating like a kangaroo court.

Just five days prior to the SF draft report being presented, Brian Stanley resigned from Sinn Féin. he has repeatedly denied any suspicious misconduct or alleged “sexual harassment”.

Brian Stanley complaint interpreted Stanley’s actions as suspicious and credited his wrongdoing as a political motivation, fueling Brian Stanley allegations which he has been denying since the day the complaint was filed.

Also, the SF draft report made a conclusion that “on the balance of probability”, the narrative of the Brian Stanley complaint is now believed to be “essentially true”.

What did Brian Stanley do?

On October 11 of last year, Brian Stanley and the woman who shared a TD hotel room in Dublin were the subject of the complaint. The things appeared disputed such as the fact that they both stayed in the same room.

However, it is not debated that Brian Stanley and the woman had met on 11 October 2023 in Leinster House the same evening. In the parking lot there, Mr. Stanley had parked her vehicle personally.

More of Stanley’s actions were agreed upon that they both went to a pub after having a meeting in the Leinster House canteen and even ordered two more drinks in the pub.

Detailed investigation linked to Brian Stanley complaint

According to a detailed investigation from hotel staff, Brian Stanley had booked the room himself with a double bed. The woman herself filed the complaint.

Two days after they met on 11 October, and had drinks in the pub along with a meeting in Leinster House, the woman complained of sexual harassment against Brian Stanley. She even texted Mr Stanley for €60,000 in compensation for her so-called “emotional trauma”.

The investigation disclosed that the woman had told the media that it was not an intelligent move to do so as she was under extreme stress, in a state of shock and was deeply scared. She elucidated that she did not pursue her request after the “sexual harassment” accusation against the person she had trusted.

While talking about the SN draft report, the woman said she was disappointed that a full report wasn’t handed over to Gardai when her complaint was highlighted.

Mary Lou McDonald is concerned about the woman

Earlier this month, Mary Lou McDonald, the Sinn Féin leader, revealed to the Sinn Féin that the woman was “distressed and traumatised” subsequently.

Mr Stanley does not agree with the version of events that the woman has explained in her complaint to the Sinn Féin inquiry.

Brian Stanley’s solicitor gave a statement

The solicitor’s statement said,

“The complaint was wilfully withheld for a period of almost 10 months in an effort to spancel our client’s potential candidacy”.

The statement went on to say that Mr. Stanley’s long-term devotion to Sinn Féin and the people of Laois (and Offaly) was now sadly a source of great suffering for the client and his family. His political career has been demeaned, according to the statement, which has left a dark mark on his political career.

Rose Conway-Walsh is content

The spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Sinn Féin TD for Mayo, Rose Conway-Walsh remarked that she was satisfied with the way her party has been handling this matter since the complaint was lodged.

SF Draft Report — Rose Conway-Walsh (Source: Mayo News)

She added that although the matter is still under Garda’s supervision, she is satisfied with the progress on the matter and that the party procedures have been strictly followed.

Miss Rose revealed that initially, the matter was overlooked by a barrister but now it is carefully handled and she is satisfied.

She made clear how crucial it is that complaints against political parties and their representatives be resolved in a fair and open manner- “and that is what happened in this case”, she put forward.

She clarified that the complaint wasn’t forwarded to gardai at the initial stage as it wasn’t taken as a criminal action. It was evident at the beginning, she told.

Also, she expounded that when the complaint came to the party first, it obviously went through a systematic process and then counterclaims started appearing. It was then that Brian Stanley opted out of the complaint process and finally, it was referred to Gardai.

However, this is not what Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education thinks. The same thoughts are of Fianna Fáil TD as they both think the complaint should have been lodged much sooner.

Mr Collins still could not find an answer to his own query as to why Sinn Féin did not refer the matter to Gardai before initiating the Brian Stanley complaint process on its own in the first place.

Simon Harris has his own views

Taoiseach Simon Harris stated that he does not wish to become engaged in complex “party politics” when questioned about the SF draft report.

He said,

“These issues are serious and I’ve always been of the view that if there are serious issues to be considered then they should be considered by An Garda Síochána”.

He ensured that since that matter was looked at by Gardai, hence, the outcome would be fruitful and he did not need to worry in this case. He said that he was confident that Garda would assess the complaint thoroughly.

Aontú leader, Peadar Tóibín views

The leader of another party in Ireland (Aontú), Peadar Tóibín, thought that an independent senior council member should have been given the task of examining the case.

The reason he gave for this was an allegation at this level should be handled with utmost shrewdness, which is only possible if a senior council member was appointed.

According to him, the senior council member should not be a part of any organisation to any party, for the sake of keeping the decision fair.

He found it “unusual” how Sinn Féin handled this matter and both parties are fine with the way matters are progressing.

FAQs

The SF draft report found that Brian Stanley’s actions constituted sexual harassment, labeling them as misconduct and a violation of party discipline and ethics. Based on a “balance of probability,” the report concluded that the allegations made in the Brian stanley complaint were “essentially true.”

Brian Stanley has denied any misconduct or alleged sexual harassment. He criticised Sinn Féin’s complaint handling process, describing it as flawed and akin to a “kangaroo court.” He resigned from the party five days before the SF draft report was presented.

The complaint stemmed from an incident on October 11, 2023, when Stanley and a woman shared a hotel room in Dublin. The two had met at Leinster House, then went to a pub for drinks. Following this, the woman alleged sexual harassment and requested €60,000 for emotional trauma, though she later stated she was under extreme stress when making this request.

Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh stated that the complaint was not referred to Gardaí initially because it was not deemed a criminal matter. It went through internal party procedures until Brian Stanley opted out of the process, at which point it was referred to Gardaí.

Yes, Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh expressed satisfaction with the party’s handling of the complaint, stating that the matter was initially reviewed by a barrister and later by the Gardaí to ensure a fair process.