Irish editor of Sunday Times held

THE Sunday Times Ireland editor Liam Clarke was arrested yesterday by detectives investigating the leaking of transcripts of telephone conversations between British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s chief of staff and Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.

The transcripts were contained in an updated biography of the Sinn Féin chief negotiator co-written by Mr Clarke and his wife Kathryn Johnston.

The editor of the Sunday Times called for the pair’s immediate release.

John Witherow said: “The account by our Northern Ireland editor, Liam Clarke, of phone taps in Northern Ireland poses no threat to national security, it merely embarrasses ministers.

“He and his wife should be released immediately from police custody.”