Leo Varadkar retracts and apologises for 'no Sinn Féin Protestants' claim

Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar has apologised and retracted a claim that Sinn Féin has no Protestants as senior politicians. Sinn Féin is an Irish republican political party dedicated to the reunification of Ireland and an end to British jurisdiction in the north of Ireland. It is the joint largest party in the Dáil and the second-largest party in the Northern Assembly. Mr Varadkar made his remark that Sinn Féin had no Protestant politicians in the Dáil (Irish parliament) or in the Northern Ireland Assembly when speaking on RTÉ Radio's News At One programme.

He was quickly corrected by Violet-Anne Wynne, who represents the Clare constituency in the Dáil who pointed out: "I am a Protestant and am proud to be a Sinn Féin TD." She went on to say: "While nobody in Sinn Féin has ever made an issue of my religious views, it is not acceptable for the tánaiste to do so." Leo Varadkar responded by saying: "I fully retract my remark and apologise for any offence caused." 

Image: Leo Varadkar