Sinn Fein's policing spokesman filmed using bolt-cutters to remove wheel clamp from car

Northern Ireland Assembly member faces police probe and calls to resign after footage emerges

A pair of bolt-cutters can be seen on the ground as he removes the clamp (Twitter/@newradical94)

Sinn Fein‘s policing spokesman has faced calls to resign after he was caught on camera using bolt-cutters to remove a wheel clamp from his car.

Gerry Kelly cut off the device after finding his vehicle had been immobilised while he was at a gym in Belfast city centre.

The Northern Ireland Assembly member has been reported to the police for alleged criminal damage.

Sinn Fein confirmed Mr Kelly removed a clamp from the front wheel of his car after footage emerged on social media.

The video shows him kneeling down to remove the orange device from the car’s right-hand front wheel before resting it against a nearby wall.

A pair of bolt cutters appear to be lying beside the wheel of the vehicle, which was reportedly in a “no parking” area.

A workman who filmed Mr Kelly told the Belfast Telegraph: “Do the rules not apply to politicians the same way they do everyone else?

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. I near dropped the phone trying to get it on camera.”

The private firm that runs car park, near St Anne’s Cathedral, reported the matter to police.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) statement said: “Police in north Belfast received a report of criminal damage in the Exchange Street area of Belfast at around 2.20pm, Friday 2 February.

“It is believed that damage was caused to the wheel-clamp of a car.”

Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister called for Mr Kelly to step down from his role and urged the police to take action.

“It must be demonstrated he is not above the law,” he said.

Ulster Unionist assembly member Rog Beggs tweeted: “Parking in a no-parking area, which reserves access for deliveries and emergencies, then damaging private property.

“Is Gerry special, above the rules that apply to you and me?”

A spokesman for parking firm PEA said: “PEA is aware of this incident and has reported the matter to the PSNI [Police Service Northern Ireland] as we do in all such cases.”

After the footage was circulated on social media, a Sinn Fein spokesman confirmed Mr Kelly had removed the clamp.

He added: “He left the device nearby and drove off to pre-arranged meetings.

“His solicitor is dealing with the matter and he will be making no further comment at this time.”

Mr Kelly is Sinn Fein’s policing spokesman and a former junior minister at Stormont.

He was part of the party’s negotiating team during the years leading up to the Good Friday Agreement and has been MLA for North Belfast since 1998.

During the Troubles, the veteran republican was convicted for his part in the IRA bombing of the Old Bailey in 1973.

Ten years later he took part in a mass escape from the Maze paramilitary prison.