Paisley junior: IRA set to return to war

Police chiefs in Belfast have warned the IRA is ready to go back to war, it was claimed today.

A major row flared over the allegations by unionists following a private security briefing on the state of the Provisionals’ ceasefire.

Ian Paisley jnr of the hard-line Democrat Unionists claimed the Northern Ireland Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton said the terror organisation was growing impatient at the lack of political progress.

He said: “It’s very clear the threat posed by Provisional IRA indicates that they are operationally ready for war.”

But Mr Leighton stressed the Provos were still on ceasefire and are still in support of the peace process.

He confirmed, however, that IRA members have threatened policing board members in Co Tyrone and were involved in the abduction of Armagh man Gareth O’Conner.

The police chief said: “Their modus operanda is a political way forward.

“But I did say the IRA still exist and therefore still have operational structures and capabilities.

“If they haven’t disbanded they still exist.”

He insisted the biggest security threat was posed by dissident republican groupings.

Mr Paisley claimed he had gone further during a private briefing to members of the Policing Board in Belfast.

“There’s a lot of squirming going on from pro-Good Friday agreement elements and the (British ) government to try and throw a rope to the Provisional IRA.”

His party colleague, Sammy Wilson, claimed there could be no doubt about the police briefing.

He declared: “This was the most damning security assessment we have had at this board in some time.

“Today in London Gerry Adams is sitting talking peace with David Trimble while in Belfast the Deputy Chief Constable is saying that the organisation behind Gerry Adams is operationally ready for war.”

But Alex Attwood, one of the nationalist SDLP members on the board accused the DUP of a cheap attempt to grab headlines.

Mr Attwood indicated there was nothing new in the police assessment.

“Mr Leighton said whatever the capabilities of the IRA they do not pose a clear and imminent threat.”