Sinn Féin has disputed a claim by one of its MLAs that the party has access to personal bank accounts.
Fermanagh-South Tyrone MLA Phil Flanagan told the High Court last week that he gets to keep only £2,000 a month of his £48,000-a-year assembly salary and that people within Sinn Féin "have access" to his bank account.
Mr Flanagan made the claim to support his case for not having enough money to pay substantial libel damages to former Ulster Unionist leader Tom Elliott.
The Sinn Féin MLA is challenging Stormont's former insurance company over its decision not to pay £48,000 damages on his behalf. The insurers have made two previous pay-outs but refused to settle Mr Flanagan's damages on the basis that he defamed a fellow MLA. Judgment in the case has been reserved.
However, while giving evidence last week, Mr Flanagan told the court that all Sinn Féin MLAs made a "contribution" to the party – in line with its policy of paying an 'industrial wage' of around £24,000.
Mr Flanagan said his salary was paid into his bank account and that party personnel have access to the account.
"People within Sinn Féin have access to that bank account," the Fermanagh-South Tyrone MLA told the court.
However, a Sinn Féin spokesman contradicted Mr Flanagan's assertion and insisted that party officials did not have access to personal accounts.
A statement from the party said: "All Sinn Féin MLAs have personal bank accounts.
"Sinn Féin MLAs receive the average wage and choose to make a voluntary contribution to Sinn Féin to employ support staff and enhance constituency services.
"All donations made are reported to the Electoral Commission."
The Irish News sought to verify this but the Electoral Commission said it was "prohibited by law from disclosing any information that relates to donations or loans reported to it by political parties in Northern Ireland".
