THE sums involved in this controversy over Covid grants received by Sinn Féin may be relatively small, but in terms of optics the three £10,000 payments are significant.
It’s another embarrassment for Sinn Féin, coming on the back of the fall-out over Bobby Storey's funeral, and potentially a further blow for public confidence in the Executive.
There may well be an explanation for why it took so long for the money to be returned but so far we're left to speculate, with the Sinn Féin press office merely issuing a two-line statement yesterday confirming that the money was received and that it's since been paid back.
What's required is a full explanation from the party leadership, who so far have only been conspicuous by their absence.
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Only when the full details of what happened are disclosed and apparent inconsistencies in the narrative cleared up will the questions from politicians and others stop.
The money paid through the Small Business Grant Scheme was an essential lifeline to many firms who would’ve likely gone under without the financial assistance.
But these pots of money are finite and paying one recipient may well mean another is denied cash.
It’s certainly not a good look for a party that puts the concerns of the vulnerable to the fore.
