When Sinn Fein’s political director at Stormont, Leo Green, failed to appear at the party’s Ard Fheis in February, both Mr Green, whilst confirming that he was no longer their northern political director, and the party were keen to play down suggestions of a dispute. As Liam Clarke noted at the time
Green said he had renewed his membership of Sinn Fein on January 24 and that he had not left over any single issue. We are none the wiser except that this man, who cut his political teeth under IRA army discipline, is not about to break ranks with his comrades and speak his mind.
The rumour is that, among other issues, he felt the party had pushed too far in opposition to welfare reform, but this is denied by Sinn Fein. “There are no policy issues, because the people you are talking about remain in the party,” Alex Maskey told the BBC.
But today’s Irish News reports that Mr Green has now taken a case against the party for discrimination and unfair dismissal. From the Irish News
Leo Green was Sinn Fein’s political director at Stormont until his shock departure ahead of February’s Ard Fheis.
Reports that he had left were rubbished at the time, with the party insisting that the former hunger striker had renewed his membership just a month earlier.
But it was confirmed last night that Mr Green [] is taking an unprecedented employment case.
He is suing on the grounds of discrimination for holding a political opinion, unfair dismissal and breach of contract.
The Irish News report goes on to say
At the time of Leo Green’s departure one newspaper linked his departure to his opposition to welfare reform.
Last week Mr McGuinness rejected DUP claims that Sinn Féin had reneged on benefit cuts agreed last May.
It was confirmed last night that a claim on behalf of Mr Green against Sinn Féin has been registered with the Fair Employment Tribunal and the Industrial Tribunal.
Sinn Féin did not comment.
Adds In the Irish Times Gerry Moriarty adds
[Leo Green] is taking the case through the Fair Employment Tribunal and the Industrial Tribunal. A tribunal spokesman said proceedings were at an early stage and the case is yet to be listed.
A Sinn Féin spokesman also confirmed the claims have been lodged to the tribunals.
“Sinn Féin will be contesting this. I do not want to say anything that will prejudice this case,” he added.
[]
Leo Green was viewed as one of Sinn Féin’s most senior strategists and advisors. His leaving his political director post and the discrimination case has caused great surprise in political circles.
A Sinn Féin spokesman said Mr Green was the first member to take such a case against the party.