The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable has contradicted a claim by Sinn Féin that telling the British Heart Foundation about a potential police investigation into former press officer Michael McMonagle would have prejudiced that investigation.

Seán Mag Uidhir and Caolán McGinley quit after it emerged the pair had given references for former Sinn Féin press officer Michael McMonagle who later pleaded guilty to a series of child sex offences.

Sinn Féin's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill has said she was "aghast" when she learned two colleagues had provided job references for a former party press officer who was under investigation for child sex offences.

Sinn Féin claimed telling a charity about Michael McMonagle would have prejudiced a police investigation.

Seán Mag Uidhir and Caolán McGinley quit after it emerged the pair had given references for former Sinn Féin press officer Michael McMonagle who pleaded guilty to a series of child sex offences.