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Gerry Kelly: MLA's car clamp removal reported to police Gerry Kelly: MLA's car clamp removal reported to police
(35 minutes later)
Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly has been reported to the police for alleged criminal damage after he was filmed removing a clamp from his car.Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly has been reported to the police for alleged criminal damage after he was filmed removing a clamp from his car.
The North Belfast MLA was recorded using what appears to be bolt cutters to remove the clamp on Friday.The North Belfast MLA was recorded using what appears to be bolt cutters to remove the clamp on Friday.
His actions were criticised by other politicial parties after footage of the incident was posted on social media.His actions were criticised by other politicial parties after footage of the incident was posted on social media.
DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said this was a "significant test for the Sinn Féin leadership".DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said this was a "significant test for the Sinn Féin leadership".
Police said they "received a report of criminal damage" in Exchange Street, Belfast, at about 14:20 GMT that day.Police said they "received a report of criminal damage" in Exchange Street, Belfast, at about 14:20 GMT that day.
"It is believed that damage was caused to the wheel-clamp of a car," the PSNI spokeswoman added."It is believed that damage was caused to the wheel-clamp of a car," the PSNI spokeswoman added.
Sinn Féin said the matter was being dealt with by Mr Kelly's solicitor.Sinn Féin said the matter was being dealt with by Mr Kelly's solicitor.
The incident happened near the Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC).The incident happened near the Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC).
The clamp was fitted by a private company called Parking and Enforcement Agency (PEA).The clamp was fitted by a private company called Parking and Enforcement Agency (PEA).
Its spokesman told the Belfast Telegraph: "PEA is aware of this incident and has reported the matter to the PSNI as we do in all such cases."Its spokesman told the Belfast Telegraph: "PEA is aware of this incident and has reported the matter to the PSNI as we do in all such cases."
Mr Kelly is also Sinn Féin's policing spokesperson.Mr Kelly is also Sinn Féin's policing spokesperson.
He is also a former member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, which holds the PSNI to account.He is also a former member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, which holds the PSNI to account.
Mr Dodds, DUP, asked: "Will Gerry Adams, Mary Lou McDonald or Michelle O'Neill finally take action when we have their policing spokesperson act like this?Mr Dodds, DUP, asked: "Will Gerry Adams, Mary Lou McDonald or Michelle O'Neill finally take action when we have their policing spokesperson act like this?
"Nobody's holding their breath.""Nobody's holding their breath."
Mr Dodds said the Sinn Féin "preach" respect and equality but this incident suggested otherwise.Mr Dodds said the Sinn Féin "preach" respect and equality but this incident suggested otherwise.
Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald, who will take over the party leadership next weekend, said she did not know enough about the incident to comment.
Speaking to RTÉ on Sunday morning, she said: "Gerry's solicitors are currently dealing the issue of the clamping.
"I have to tell you that I don't have the detail on it and we'll have to see what flows from that but I'm reluctant to comment any further because I don't have the facts of exactly what happened.
"I'm only in a position to say that his solicitors are dealing with the issue, as they should," she added.
'Ironic''Ironic'
The leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) party, Jim Allister, criticised Mr Kelly on BBC Radio Ulster.The leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) party, Jim Allister, criticised Mr Kelly on BBC Radio Ulster.
"He, who sat in the Policing Board, pontificating about law and order issues, should now think that he can take the law into his own hands and behaved in this manner needs to be called to account."He, who sat in the Policing Board, pontificating about law and order issues, should now think that he can take the law into his own hands and behaved in this manner needs to be called to account.
"Not just in respect of the criminal law, in regard to criminal damage, but in respect of public representation, by being removed as a public representative.""Not just in respect of the criminal law, in regard to criminal damage, but in respect of public representation, by being removed as a public representative."
Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs said Mr Kelly had set "an appalling example" and should "do the decent thing and resign".Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs said Mr Kelly had set "an appalling example" and should "do the decent thing and resign".
"Parking in a no-parking area, which reserves access for deliveries and emergencies, then damaging private property."Parking in a no-parking area, which reserves access for deliveries and emergencies, then damaging private property.
"What if everyone ignored yellow lines?"What if everyone ignored yellow lines?
"Is Gerry special, above the rules that apply to you and me?""Is Gerry special, above the rules that apply to you and me?"
Mr Beggs added: "If this was to happen in any other part of the United Kingdom or indeed the Republic, the relevant politician would be gone."Mr Beggs added: "If this was to happen in any other part of the United Kingdom or indeed the Republic, the relevant politician would be gone."
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw said Mr Kelly's actions were "ironic" given that he was Sinn Féin's spokesperson on justice issues.Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw said Mr Kelly's actions were "ironic" given that he was Sinn Féin's spokesperson on justice issues.
"This is the sort of stuff that reflects very much on the behaviour of MLAs and I would very much like the assembly back up and running this week so that this could be looked at as an internal matter in terms of his conduct as a public representative.""This is the sort of stuff that reflects very much on the behaviour of MLAs and I would very much like the assembly back up and running this week so that this could be looked at as an internal matter in terms of his conduct as a public representative."