By Gerry Adams
Sinn Fein

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD has expressed his deep sadness on the death of veteran activist, MP and former British cabinet minister Tony Benn. Speaking from the United States Mr. Adams said:
“It was with a great sadness that I learned of Tony Benn’s passing this morning. Tony was a true friend of the Irish people.
“A principled politician and activist, he spoke up passionately for the idea of a united Ireland. He remained an avid supporter of Irish freedom throughout his life. Tony was a champion of the downtrodden
and the voiceless in Britain, in Ireland and
throughout the world.
“I met Tony many times over the years. He was a thoughtful and highly intelligent human being and a genuinely nice man, whom I will greatly miss. I wish to extend my condolences and those of Sinn Féin, to Tony Benn’s family at this time.”