Politics

Sinn Féin releases figures for John O'Dowd leadership challenge to Michelle O'Neill

Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd (left) with leader Mary Lou McDonald (centre), and deputy leader Michelle O'Neill (right), before a party away day during the summer at the Carrickdale Hotel and Spa. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd (left) with leader Mary Lou McDonald (centre), and deputy leader Michelle O'Neill (right), before a party away day during the summer at the Carrickdale Hotel and Spa. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd (left) with leader Mary Lou McDonald (centre), and deputy leader Michelle O'Neill (right), before a party away day during the summer at the Carrickdale Hotel and Spa. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire
By Digital Staff

Sinn Féin has relased voting figures for the recent leadership battle between Michelle O'Neill and John O'Dowd.

The party has revealed that deputy leader Ms O'neill received 493 votes (67 per cent) to Mr O'Down's 241 votes.

Former Sinn Féin director of publicity Danny Morrison revealed the figures on Twitter: 

The party originally refused to disclose figures for the vote which took place last weekend during its ard fheis.

Questions had been reaised over the lack of transparency surrounding the contest.

In a statement, Sinn Féin said: "Having looked at the matter and contacted both candidates and the director of elections we have taken the decision to release the figures."

Mr O’Dowd announced his challenge in August, voicing hope that the contest would be preceded by “debate across the party and island”.

But the party's ard chomhairle subsequently ruled that there would be no hustings events, while the candidates were discouraged from speaking to the media about the vote.