Sinn Féin accused of protecting itself, says woman who made complaint against politician

Former party TD Brian Stanley suspended after allegations of sexual misconduct

Sinn Féin has been accused of protecting itself rather than the alleged victim of a sexual misconduct complaint against one of its politicians.

The accusation was made by a woman who made a complaint against former Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley. Stanley was suspended from the party after the allegations were made.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she felt "let down" by Sinn Féin's handling of her complaint.

"I felt like I was being blamed for what had happened to me," she said.

"I felt like Sinn Féin was more concerned with protecting itself than with protecting me."

Sinn Féin has denied the allegations, saying that it takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and that it has a robust complaints procedure in place.

However, the woman said that she did not believe that Sinn Féin's complaints procedure was fair or independent.

"I felt like I was being pressured to drop my complaint," she said.

"I felt like I was being told that if I didn't drop my complaint, I would be seen as a troublemaker."

The woman said that she had decided to speak out about her experience in the hope that it would help other victims of sexual misconduct to come forward.

"I don't want other women to go through what I went through," she said.

"I want Sinn Féin to be held accountable for its actions."

Sinn Féin has said that it will investigate the woman's claims and that it will take appropriate action if any wrongdoing is found.