General rejects claims IRA holding weapons

GENERAL John de Chastelain was at the centre of a new row in the North last night after rejecting security force claims that the IRA is retaining weapons.

Even though the disarmament chief has been backed by gardaí, his assessment was also challenged by the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC).

The IMC, which confirmed high levels of IRA spying, money laundering and smuggling following the declaration to end its terrorist campaign last summer, said last night it had reports the provisionals still had access to a range of guns.