Rebels force Sinn Féin chiefs to step up security
Monday, November 13, 2006
SINN Féin leaders will not be deflected by threats against their lives from doing the right thing for republicans, party leader Gerry Adams insisted last night.
After it emerged that he, Martin McGuinness and Gerry Kelly have had to step up personal security for fear of attack from republican hard-liners, the party president said he was not losing sleep about safety concerns.
"Obviously there are elements out there opposed to the Sinn Fein strategy and seeking to exploit the current situation. I would not be playing this up or dealing with it as anything other than just the atmosphere in which we work," he said.
"I uphold people’s right to express opinions on issues and encourage frank, open comradely debate on any matter. However, the Sinn Fein leadership is not going to be deflected from what we think is the right thing to do for the republican struggle," Mr Adams said.
Concerns for the Sinn Fein leadership’s safety have surfaced in recent weeks as they face demands from the Democratic Unionist Party to endorse the Police Service of Northern Ireland if there is to be a power sharing government next March.