Sinn Fein politician quits and party leader apologises after Covid funding fiasco

Close contact services in Northern Ireland failed today in a legal challenge to being forced to shut down for four weeks. View email online

Subscribe Oct 29, 2020 Good afternoon, "There are green shoots of hope" as a result of the current steps being taken against the spread of Covid-19, First Minister Arlene Foster said this afternoon at Stormont. However, she warned that while this is good news, there is still "more to do" in the fight against this "brutal and unrelenting virus". Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill urged everyone to show the "same determination" in helping to bring infection rates down right across Northern Ireland as the people of Derry City and Strabane have done in their area. Statistics from the Department of Health today revealed that there have been eight Covid-19 related deaths and 822 new infections in the past 24 hours, Meanwhile, a £790m package has been announced for Northern Ireland as part of Covid-19 and October monitoring round allocations with the aim of having a positive impact on a range of sectors including health, education, transport and sport. And three Sinn Fein figures - including former Foyle MP Elisha McCallion - have resigned from the party after failing to immediately repay money paid out by a Stormont emergency Covid fund. Thank you for reading this and stay safe. Valerie Martin, Head of Content. * If you value our journalism, please consider taking out a digital subscription to the News Letter for as little as £1 for three months. Along with other benefits, as a subscriber you will now also have access to our new online puzzles with four brand new brain games every day - two crosswords (quick and cryptic), sudoku and a wordwheel. Check out your subscription options here. Judge dismisses challenge to closures brought by hair and beauty sectors Close contact services in Northern Ireland failed today in a legal challenge to being forced to shut down for four weeks. Sinn Fein repaid £30K Covid support mispayment on Tuesday ... just ahead of major expose on Wednesday Sinn Fein only paid back a £30,000 slab of wrongly obtained coronavirus support cash this week – when journalists began asking questions about it. Belfast A&E doctor appeals to public: Stick to Covid rules to stop NHS being overwhelmed A consultant from a Belfast emergency department has issued a plea for the public to stick with the coronavirus regulations. NI Secretary of State Brandon Lewis announces he is self-isolating The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis, MP, has announced he is self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19. Publican-turned-politician: £30k SF Covid fund fiasco ‘a kick in the teeth for struggling traders’ A former publican who is now an SDLP Assemblyman has described Sinn Fein’s receipt of the Covid-19 cash as “just beyond belief” and “a kick in the teeth” for firms which are struggling. Economist Esmond Birnie on Covid: Look back 100 years - we will get past this crisis A top economist says that while there are significant financial challenges ahead, the past 100 years remind us that Covid will pass - and he notes that measured restrictions have already begun to slow down the infection rate across NI. SF Covid fund debacle: Story sparks parallels with Father Ted There has been a strong reaction online to the story of how Sinn Fein ended up reciveing £30,000-worth of business support grants intended solely for struggling businesses. View more on Coronavirus

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