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Sinn Féin MLA and newly announced party leader in the north Michelle O'Neill has said Sinn Féin are committed to equality, respect and integrity. 

 

Speaking in Stormont today, Ms O'Neill said; 

 

"For me to be selected to lead our party in the north is truly the biggest honour and privilege of my life.

 

"I have no doubt that I am following in the footsteps of a political giant in Martin McGuinness. And it's not just republicans that think that, as we have witnessed over the course of the last few weeks.  

 

"Over the course of the last number of weeks, while others shouted from the sidelines it was Sinn Féin that stood up and confronted corruption.  It was Sinn Féin that called a halt to the arrogance and the intolerance of the DUP.  

 

"Arrogance and disrespect has no place in society. Financial scandal, incompetence or waste of public money cannot be tolerated.

 

"In the aftermath of the election, there can and will be no return to the status quo. 

 

"Sinn Féin are only interested in participating in the power sharing institutions if they deliver for all of our citizens and operate on the basis of equality and respect.

 

"Sinn Fein is seeking in this election a stronger mandate to enter forthcoming political negotiations come March to defend your interests and put firmly the peoples social, economic and political interests first.

 

"What we are seeking is respect and equality for all of the people. And what we are seeking is integrity in the political institutions.  

 

"That is what Martin McGuinness stands for. That is what Sinn Fein stands for. That is what I stand for."