January 26, 2004 Shock Resignation is a Blow to the SDLP
by William Graham, Irish News

Northern Ireland politics received a shock to the system yesterday (Monday) when councillor Billy Leonard left the SDLP, resigned from a district policing partnership, and joined Sinn Féin.

Sinn Féin's latest political recruit is a former RUC reservist and comes originally from a Protestant background.

It was a blow to the SDLP as Mr Leonard was in the frame to possibly become the party chairman prior to his defection.

The Coleraine councillor told the Irish News that his wife Valerie has also left the SDLP and intends to join Sinn Féin.

Mr Leonard, was asked if it was quite a leap to cross from the SDLP to Sinn Féin.

He said: "Yes, obviously a lot of thought went into it and a lot of reflection on the nationalist republican community. All the conversations that are being held in families and amongst people about the change of mood. I suppose my move is a personal reflection of that larger trend.

"There is an undoubted sea change, an undoubted debate going on within the community, and among families within the community."

Mr Leonard said he wanted to be part of a movement that had the vision, strategies and commitment on key aspirations for Ireland, and that he believed that Sinn Féin had all of these.

"They are committed to building a just peace and will continue to be strong on key issues. It is obvious to see that it is Sinn Féin who are both, willing to discharge their responsibilities with unionism and also be determined to stand against unionist intransigence when required," Mr Leonard said.

Asked about his religious background, Mr Leonard said he took no religious label at present and had not done so for a good number of years.

"My move is political. I am in politics, not in religion," Mr Leonard said.

Mr Leonard said his resignation from the district policing partnership board in Coleraine was in the post.

"Obviously I would not be able to keep on as a member of the district partnership while a member of Sinn Féin," he said.

Turning to the political question of joining Sinn Féin and being a former police reservist, Mr Leonard said: "In terms of the reserve, that was decades ago and a decision made in that era and in that context. You are talking about a totally different political context now.

"We are dealing with a totally different political dispensation. As far as the district policing partnership is concerned that is a matter of party policy. Sinn Féin obviously want to have more moves on policing, and I have no problem about waiting for that to come about."

Pressed on his former membership of the RUC and his present membership of Sinn Féin, Mr Leonard replied: "I would have seen people killed and I would also have known of RUC officers who were engaged in paramilitary activity and were jailed in that era. So I know it from both sides.

SDLP leader Mark Durkan said that in recent conversations, Mr Leonard had not raised any concerns about the leadership and direction of the party.

Sinn Féin chairman Mitchell McLaughlin welcomed Mr Leonard's decision to join the party.