SINN FÉIN HAS suspended one of its Belfast city councillors after an allegation that he exchanged inappropriate online messages with a minor.

The party said it had suspended JJ Magee without prejudice having referred the matter to social services and the PSNI.

Solicitors for Magee said he “absolutely denies any allegation of inappropriate conduct”.

KRW Law said the complaint against its client had been made to the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards, adding that Magee has lodged a 12,000-word, 38-page rebuttal with the commissioner.

The solicitors said Magee had not made Sinn Fein aware of the complaint as there was “no substance” to it and he believed the matter would be resolved quickly by the commissioner.

In a statement on Sunday night, Sinn Fein said: “Sinn Fein national chairperson Declan Kearney has stated that the chief executive of Belfast City Council has been notified that the Sinn Fein party whip has been removed from councillor JJ Magee.

“Councillor Magee has been suspended from the party without prejudice following receipt of an allegation that inappropriate online messages were exchanged between him and a minor. This has been forwarded to the social services and the PSNI, in compliance with Sinn Fein child safeguarding policy.

“The party will not be making any further comment as this matter is under active investigation by the appropriate authorities.”

KRW Law said: “Our client absolutely denies any allegation of inappropriate conduct and in particular any conduct which may have occasioned a breach of the code of conduct for councillors.”

The law firm insisted the complaint was “selective” and involved editing of signification portions of messages sent and received over a three-month period.

“Our client asserts that there is not a single line in any message sent by him which could be considered to be inappropriate,” the statement added.

“Our client further confirms that he did not make Sinn Fein aware of this complaint as there was no substance to the complaint and he believed that the matter would be resolved quickly once all the facts were provided to the commissioner.”

KRW Law said Magee has disclosed “every single message” exchanged with the complainant and has fully engaged with the commissioner.

“Our client looks forward to being exonerated and having his good name restored,” said the statement.

The solicitors said Magee would not be making any further comment.

The development is the latest internal issue to hit Sinn Fein in recent months.