Prisoner could contest Adams' seat

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams may be challenged in his West Belfast stronghold at the British general election by a dissident republican prisoner.

It is believed likely that Republican Sinn Fein will run Tommy Crossan as an anti-Agreement candidate. The party broke from Sinn Fein in 1986 over taking seats in the Dail. It continues to support the use of 'disciplined force' but denies the Continuity IRA is its armed wing.

Republican Sinn Fein's Ulster executive has proposed running Tommy Crossan and is waiting for a decision from its national executive. Mr Crossan is currently the leader of Continuity IRA prisoners in Maghaberry jail, where he is serving 10 years for conspiracy to murder. Gerry Adams had a majority of almost 8,000 votes in 1997, and few believe he could be unseated. The challenge would be, however, a symbolic show of defiance from republicans who believe the Good Friday Agreement is a sell-out.