English mechanic leaves €1.7 million tax free to Sinn Féin

31-08-2019 2:04pm #1

Definitely the most interesting person I've heard of in a while. I think I'll have a change of career if mechanics are earning this much!

English former mechanic leaves Sinn Féin £1.5m in will

Sinn Fein will not have to pay inheritance tax on €1.7m left to party in mechanic's will

Sinn Féin given £1.5m in 'largest ever NI donation'

SINN Fein will not have to pay any inheritance tax on a £1.5m (€1.7m) gift from an English mechanic who bequeathed the money in his will.

The donation, revealed this week, is believed to the biggest ever made to a political party in Northern Ireland.

Under HM Revenue & Customs rules, any UK political party which has at least two MPs in the House of Commons is not liable to pay inheritance tax on such a gift.

Sinn Fein has seven MPs but because of a Westminster abstentionist policy they do not take their seats in the house.

A political party also qualifies for exemption if it has one MP and received no less than 150,000 votes at the last general election.

Without exemptions, anyone who is left £1.5m would be required to pay around £470,000 in inheritance tax.

The party’s windfall was made public on Thursday by the Electoral Commission.

The benefactor has been identified by a source close to Sinn Fein as former mechanic William E Hampton.

Mr Hampton was born in London and died on January 11, 2018 at his home in Pembrokeshire, Wales, at the age of 82, the source told Press Association (PA).

The pensioner, who was not married and had no children, also left some money to friends and acquaintances, but the main beneficiary was Sinn Fein.

It is understood he spent some time living in Ireland and was a long-term supporter of the party.

The money was paid to Sinn Fein in instalments of £1m and £500,000 in April and May this year....

A Sinn Fein spokesperson said: “We’re obviously pleased that he has chosen to bequest this sum to the party and it’s a positive boost to Sinn Féin in working towards Irish unity and towards our political objectives...

biko · 31-08-2019 2:19pm

That is a bit if a surprise alright.

MadYaker · 31-08-2019 2:20pm

Brand new election posters all round so? Could avoid inheretance tax by setting myself up as a one man political party?

blinding · 01-09-2019 7:22pm

That bloody clutch cost a bomb ?

EmmetSpiceland · 01-09-2019 7:30pm

Should have had a “stipulation” they must take their elected seats.

statesaver · 01-09-2019 7:33pm

He must of been a damn good mechanic

Spanish Eyes · 01-09-2019 7:35pm

His relatives friends and acquaintances must be raging!

But just goes to show, your will is what what you want! Make one now.....

JohnnyFlash · 01-09-2019 8:02pm

Wonder did he give the once over check to the vehicles used in the Northern Bank robbery?

01-09-2019 8:57pm

that'll keep them in toner cartridges for months.

kowloon · 01-09-2019 9:45pm

Aegir wrote: »

that'll keep them in toner cartridges for months.

True, as long as nobody takes the piss and sets it to photo quality.

TheValeyard · 01-09-2019 9:49pm

Think Sinn Fein are as surprised as anyone else. Probably not used to getting all that money legally.

end of the road · 02-09-2019 1:54am

an absolutely wonderful jesture.
may this great man rest in peace.

02-09-2019 2:09am

Stroke of luck that it went up north and not to HQ down south where it would be too large to be accepted. :pac:

Roger Hassenforder · 02-09-2019 8:49am

Fantastic to clean money

JohnnyFlash · 02-09-2019 9:18am

end of the road wrote: »

an absolutely wonderful jesture.
may this great man rest in peace.

Ya, he donated a load of money to a party of hurlers on the ditch. Stunning gesture.

NIMAN · 02-09-2019 9:20am

Another example of how the elite get to avoid taxes ordinary Joe Public wouldn't.

If my uncle left me this, I'd be taxed to eyeballs. Why should a political party be any different?

padd b1975 · 02-09-2019 10:03am

Hopefully it means they can shut down a few protection rackets.

maccored · 02-09-2019 11:20am

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Wonder did he give the once over check to the vehicles used in the Northern Bank robbery?

I'd say the RUC mechanics looked after those

Franz Von Peppercorn II · 02-09-2019 12:43pm

NIMAN wrote: »

Another example of how the elite get to avoid taxes ordinary Joe Public wouldn't.

If my uncle left me this, I'd be taxed to eyeballs. Why should a political party be any different?

It’s basically a political donation which aren’t taxed.

SEPT 23 1989 · 02-09-2019 12:43pm

HMRC should be looking at this

02-09-2019 12:45pm

nothing to see here then, huh

Franz Von Peppercorn II · 02-09-2019 12:52pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

HMRC should be looking at this

I’m sure they know the rules. It’s all above board.

Portsalon · 02-09-2019 1:07pm

More info. in the Irish Times:-

The English mechanic who left £1.5 million (€1.6 million) to Sinn Féin in his will stipulated the money should only go to a political party connected to Gerry Adams.

William Edward Hampton, who died in Wales aged 82 on January 11th, 2018, leaving an estate valued at £2.6 million, named two senior republicans - Joe Cahill and Dessie Mackin - as his trustees and executors in a will sworn in June 1997 when he was living in a mobile home in Ireland, reported to be in Co Cavan.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/english-mechanic-decided-to-leave-1-5m-to-sinn-féin-while-living-in-mobile-home-in-ireland-1.4004470

blinding · 02-09-2019 1:15pm

Portsalon wrote: »

More info. in the Irish Times:-

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/english-mechanic-decided-to-leave-1-5m-to-sinn-féin-while-living-in-mobile-home-in-ireland-1.4004470

Interesting . Does this happen to everyone living in a mobile home in Cavan . I hear they are very thrifty people;)

Only kidding Cavan folks . I have met many lovely Cavan people .

MadYaker · 02-09-2019 2:14pm

Portsalon wrote: »

More info. in the Irish Times:-

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/english-mechanic-decided-to-leave-1-5m-to-sinn-féin-while-living-in-mobile-home-in-ireland-1.4004470

I’m no Sinn Fein fan id never vote for them but it seems to me that the Irish Times and the indo are doing their best to make this sound dodgy when it doesn’t really appear to be? There’s an unmistakable anti Sinn Fein bias at the indo in particular.

Portsalon · 02-09-2019 2:23pm

MadYaker wrote: »

I’m no Sinn Fein fan id never vote for them but it seems to me that the Irish Times and the indo are doing their best to make this sound dodgy when it doesn’t really appear to be? There’s an unmistakable anti Sinn Fein bias at the indo in particular.

Where's William Trevor, Roald Dahl or Frank O'Connor when they're needed!

The short story writes itself:-

A crochety auld fella who is known to have a few bob is living alone in a mobile home in the back of beyond in Cavan. Late one night there's a knock on the door and in walk two men in balaclavas who produce a last will and testament which he is 'persuaded' to sign. The lads shake his hand, thank him for his contribution to Irish Freedom, give him a signed colour picture of Grizzly Adams in a gold frame and depart.

recedite · 02-09-2019 2:55pm

Portsalon wrote: »

Where's William Trevor, Roald Dahl or Frank O'Connor when they're needed!

The short story writes itself:-

A crochety auld fella who is known to have a few bob is living alone in a mobile home in the back of beyond in Cavan. Late one night there's a knock on the door and in walk two men in balaclavas who produce a last will and testament which he is 'persuaded' to sign. The lads shake his hand, thank him for his contribution to Irish Freedom, give him a signed colour picture of Grizzly Adams in a gold frame and depart.

It must have been the Jaguar parked outside. Always a giveaway.

Odhinn · 02-09-2019 4:35pm

Portsalon wrote: »

Where's William Trevor, Roald Dahl or Frank O'Connor when they're needed!

The short story writes itself:-

A crochety auld fella who is known to have a few bob is living alone in a mobile home in the back of beyond in Cavan. Late one night there's a knock on the door and in walk two men in balaclavas who produce a last will and testament which he is 'persuaded' to sign. The lads shake his hand, thank him for his contribution to Irish Freedom, give him a signed colour picture of Grizzly Adams in a gold frame and depart.

That would be a nice and thoughtful gift.

chooseusername · 02-09-2019 6:56pm

When I read Mechanic , I thought Charles Bronson type mechanic.

02-09-2019 10:28pm

Jim Allister is on the case, with a suspicion that would honour Willie Frazer himself:

Jim Allister writes to National Crime Agency over £1.5m Sinn Fein donation

Speaking on Radio Ulster, Mr Allister said: "The fact that the acquisition of these assets is unexplained, that they stand somewhat in contradiction with the apparent lifestyle of the individual, and the fact that on hand there is Sinn Fein to provide executors for this Will from within IRA ranks at the time, and that all of the assets are bestowed upon Sinn Fein, those are circumstances that raise legitimate questions.

"It seems to me, the appropriate authority to investigate all of that is the National Crime Agency and that is why I have written to the director of the National Crime Agency today."

When the Belfast Telegraph approached Sinn Fein for comment, a spokesperson replied: "Lol (Laugh out loud)."

We're heading in a bad direction when official political party statements are Lol!

Stop moaning ffs · 02-09-2019 10:31pm

If SF had any sense they’d throw a lot of this to the H&W workers losing their jobs and another load of at Pride comittees all around the province.

The DUP would lose their tiny little minds and it would be a huge vote winner/pr coup.

mikeym · 02-09-2019 11:20pm

This English Mechanic Story doesnt seem to add up:D

Willie Frazer would hit the roof if he heard that story but hes passed away.

Stop moaning ffs · 02-09-2019 11:24pm

Nothing about the £450k the DUP got from an unnamed source to fund posters and full page ads in London newspapers against brexit.

Conveniently never brought up.

Snotty · 02-09-2019 11:34pm

I'm most surprised the dead guys name was "William"

This is a non story being spun by bias media, not that I would piss on Sinn Fein if it was on fire.

02-09-2019 11:58pm

lovely way to launder a bit of cash if you think of it. get an aul fella sympathetic, get him to square it off with a solicitor and bobs yr dead uncle whos left you a few million all above board.

beats running drugs/protection rackets/building fire-hazard apartment blocks doesn't it

recedite · 03-09-2019 12:56am

Deleted User wrote: »

lovely way to launder a bit of cash if you think of it. get an aul fella sympathetic, get him to square it off with a solicitor and bobs yr dead uncle whos left you a few million all above board.

beats running drugs/protection rackets/building fire-hazard apartment blocks doesn't it

That makes a lot of sense. But what political party and what leader would be able brazen such a thing out while keeping a straight face...
LOL

blinding · 03-09-2019 6:15am

Is it fine tuning from Sinn Fein ?

vladmydad · 03-09-2019 6:45am

It’s very timely too, it’s costs a lot of money to drive Mary Lou to the endless pride parades.

blinding · 03-09-2019 7:20am

vladmydad wrote: »

It’s very timely too, it’s costs a lot of money to drive Mary Lou to the endless pride parades.

At least they don’t drag her there !;)

kevcos · 03-09-2019 7:31am

I shudder at the though that these criminals are looking to get into government.

If they did get a long run in power and Ireland left the EU (or the EU broke up), it doesn't take too much fantasy to imagine an Ireland of the future potentially becoming a present day Venezuela.

blinding · 03-09-2019 8:10am

kevcos wrote: »

I shudder at the though that these criminals are looking to get into government.

If they did get a long run in power and Ireland left the EU (or the EU broke up), it doesn't take too much fantasy to imagine an Ireland of the future potentially becoming a present day Venezuela.

Without the oil .:eek:

Mind you FF had a good go at doing it .:eek:

Leo on his knees to the Eu:eek:

We are not exactly spoilt for choice :eek:

rockatansky · 03-09-2019 9:42am

kevcos wrote: »

I shudder at the though that these criminals are looking to get into government.

If they did get a long run in power and Ireland left the EU (or the EU broke up), it doesn't take too much fantasy to imagine an Ireland of the future potentially becoming a present day Venezuela.

Ffs, would you get a grip.

03-09-2019 9:49am

Stop moaning ffs wrote: »

Nothing about the £450k the DUP got from an unnamed source to fund posters and full page ads in London newspapers against brexit.

Conveniently never brought up.

Brought up fairly regularly when discussing Brexit.

I don't expect any better from them though. They don't sit in the dail or present themselves as representing me. Their incompetence, corruption and bigotry will yet be the end of them.

Maybe even money well spent when I see how they have totally ****ed themselves. :pac:

Stop moaning ffs · 03-09-2019 9:55am

Topgear on Dave wrote: »

Brought up fairly regularly when discussing Brexit.

I don't expect any better from them though. They don't sit in the dail or present themselves as representing me. Their incompetence, corruption and bigotry will yet be the end of them.

Maybe even money well spent when I see how they have totally ****ed themselves. :pac:

Yet another DUP councilor reported today securing thousands for sons business.

They’re up to their neck in the aul shady dealings.

But look over there! The SF are at it too!

blinding · 03-09-2019 10:00am

Stop moaning ffs wrote: »

Yet another DUP councilor reported today securing thousands for sons business.

They’re up to their neck in the aul shady dealings.

But look over there! The SF are at it too!

The Dup could do with a mechanic to get this stuff to run more smoothly;);)

Portsalon · 03-09-2019 10:06am

Stop moaning ffs wrote: »

Nothing about the £450k the DUP got from an unnamed source to fund posters and full page ads in London newspapers against brexit.

Conveniently never brought up.

This story? https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/electoral-commission-drops-dup-brexit-funding-inquiry-1.3584872

Yep, as you say, absolutely nothing about in the Irish Times! :rolleyes:

Stop moaning ffs · 03-09-2019 10:58am

Portsalon wrote: »

This story? https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/electoral-commission-drops-dup-brexit-funding-inquiry-1.3584872

Yep, as you say, absolutely nothing about in the Irish Times! :rolleyes:

It’s not anything like on the scale the SF story is though. Outlets up north are all over it. They weren’t with the DUP money.

Berserker · 03-09-2019 10:59am

Is it April 1st? Time for a career change if it isn't.

Stop moaning ffs wrote: »

Nothing about the £450k the DUP got from an unnamed source to fund posters and full page ads in London newspapers against brexit. Conveniently never brought up.

You have. Has been brought up by the media on a number of occasions also.

Stop moaning ffs wrote: »

Yet another DUP councilor reported today securing thousands for sons business. They’re up to their neck in the aul shady dealings. But look over there! The SF are at it too!

The DUP are not politically active in the RoI though. Far better off mentioning FF or FG.

BarryD2 · 03-09-2019 11:27am

The Blame Game lads on BBC NI will make great hay out of this, if they ever get back.

blinding · 03-09-2019 11:29am

BarryD2 wrote: »

The Blame Game lads on BBC NI will make great hay out of this, if they ever get back.

Has Brexit got them . Its going to get everything according to some :eek::eek:

99problems1 · 03-09-2019 11:31am

Wonder did Jarry send in anything to check if they were ticking over nicely?

English mechanic leaves €1.7 million tax free to Sinn Féin

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