Sinn Féin: McDonald rules out stepping down

Sources within Sinn Féin told the BBC that there was a feeling among some local groups that head office were not listening to those on the ground when it came to candidate selection.

“We will review and reflect on all of those things,” McDonald told the BBC.

“Everything for the review is on the table.

“I will lead this reflection and this process. When the going gets tough, that’s when leaders step forward, they don’t step down.

“I lead a party with immense talent and potential, we don’t always get it right. We clearly have lessons to learn.”

The Sinn Féin president said that she would prefer a general election “tomorrow morning” and the party will not be looking again at their manifesto.

She denied that Sinn Féin’s tougher stance on immigration in recent months had affected their performance.

The party had suggested means testing asylum seekers in recent weeks as rising anti-immigration sentiment continued to plague the election campaign.