Republican terrorists planning major attack

Republican terrorists in Northern Ireland are planning to carry out either a political assassination or a major bomb attack, it was claimed today.

Acting PSNI chief constable Colin Cramphorn confirmed that new recruits to the PSNI were being targeted.

Democratic Unionist Assemblyman Ian Paisley Junior also said warnings have been issued.

Mr Cramphorn said at a Policing Board meeting in Belfast: "Last night a number of politicians were formally warned by police and also this morning of a serious republican threat to carry out either a political assassination or a 'spectacular' bombing.

"Is the chief constable able to comment on the general level of threat?''

The acting police chief said he was unable to comment on the particular incident.

He added however that, "there are a number of serious threats that have emerged in recent weeks from dissident republican groups.''

Mr Cramphorn also revealed that republican paramilitaries have been plotting to kill new Police Service of Northern Ireland recruits.

Last month one of the force's new members escaped major injury after a bomb exploded under his car outside his home in Ballymena, County Antrim.