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Gildernew 'disappointed' at losing Sinn Féin job

Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political reporter
Getty Images/DANIEL LEAL Michelle Gildernew looking at the camera with a serious expression and her head tilted up slightly. She has shoulder-length dark hair with a fringe and is wearing a black, purple and green top under a black suit jacket. The background is blurred. Getty Images/DANIEL LEAL
Michelle Gildernew is a former MP and a former Stormont minister

The former Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew has spoken of her "disappointment" at having her employment contract ended by the party last month.

But Gildernew, who was an elected representative for Fermanagh and South Tyrone at both Stormont and Westminster for more than two decades, said she was "ready to do something different".

Speaking to BBC News NI she said she had "no complaints" about how the party handled her exit and that she remains a member.

"It was a proper meeting, all above board, it was handled very professionally... but yeah I was disappointed," she said.

"None of us are owed anything, the party and the cause of Irish freedom and unity is bigger than any one individual.

"I'm still an activist and a member of Sinn Féin, I will always be an advocate for Irish unity."

She said she was "very lucky" to have other opportunities to now look to.

Last year, Gildernew stepped down from her role as an MP to run in the European Parliament, but she failed to win a seat.

Relationship with O'Neill 'okay'

At the time, Sinn Féin's deputy leader Michelle O'Neill said there would "absolutely have to be a role for Michelle going forward".

Gildernew said she had not spoken to O'Neill since she had been informed her contract was being ended by Sinn Féin, but described her relationship with the first minister as "okay".

In her last paid role for Sinn Féin Gildernew was part of the team conducting the internal governance review ordered in the aftermath of last year's safeguarding scandals on either side of the border.

The 55 year old said she had never seen herself as a politician, and said she had "served" the Sinn Féin leadership well.

"Nobody's journey in life always goes smoothly, I have to look at opportunities now and it'll give me the chance to do something different," added Gildernew.

"I have had the privilege of working with some extraordinary people north and south.

"The party has to get bigger and encourage more people to vote for Sinn Féin, we will never see the transition to Irish unity without a Sinn Féin government.

"I still want to see the achievement of the thing I've been working towards my entire life."

Gildernew added that she had "probably" given up further aspirations of being an elected representative again, but said she did not "at this stage" see herself quitting hip of the party as she remained a committed republican.