Channe 4 news presenter Jon Snow with Elisha McCallion and Sinn Fein’s other 6 MPs at Wesmiinster
NEWLY elected Sinn Féin Foyle MP Elisha McCallion has said voters backed her party in the General Election knowing they would not take their seats at Westminster.
She was speaking as the row over allegations of electoral fraud and impersonation continued to swirl around in Derry.
The PSNI has confirmed it is investigating claims from the public in Derry that they turned up at polling stations last Thursday to be told they had already voted – when they clearly had not.
Mrs McCallion said Sinn Fein would not be rowing back on its abstentionist policy at Westminster despite taking seats at the Assembly and Dail.
“I think what’s happened, clearly, in this election is that northern nationalists turned their back on Westminster.”
Ms McCallion added that Sinn Féin could not yet comment on any potential positives or negatives of a DUP-Conservative deal as no details had been revealed.
However, the former Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council said that working towards the restoration of devolved government at Stormont should be the DUP’s priority.
“I think all the parties around the table are engaged in the discussion at the moment to reestablish the institutions,” she said.
“We’re hearing at least from the DUP that that is their priority – we need to see that put in stone …
“I don’t think it’s in anyway doomed. I have faith there’s political will there.”
