Northern Ireland

Biggest parties receive largest share of donations

Regional Electoral Commission head Ann Watt
Regional Electoral Commission head Ann Watt Regional Electoral Commission head Ann Watt

SINN Féin and the DUP received the lion's share of political donations in the first quarter of the year, with both parties' coffers benefitting from public funds.

Figures released by the Electoral Commission show Sinn Féin received £89,641between January and March, while the DUP was given £89,588 over the same period. Both sums were provided entirely by government funds, allocated to political parties on the basis of electoral representation.

The SDLP received £32,509, Alliance £20,739 and the Greens £13,089 – all from public funds

The Ulster Unionist Party was provided with £23,307 of public money, as well as receiving a £2,000 donation from its North Down constituency association.

Collectively, donations to the north's parties amounted to £270,874.

The commission's latest quarterly update also revealed that the DUP had a "change of £100,000 in its credit facility".

Regional Electoral Commission head Ann Watt said: "The political party donations and loans data that we have published allows voters to clearly see how parties in Northern Ireland are funded.

"This transparency helps to enhance public confidence and trust in our democratic process."