Minister's comments 'absurd', says Adams

It is absurd for Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy to talk about the conditions which allowed a truth and reconciliation commission to operate in South Africa when his government denies rights at home, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams claimed today.

As Mr Murphy continued his fact-finding visit to South Africa as part of the British government’s truth and reconciliation consultation process, Mr Adams insisted the UK government was not a neutral player in the conflict in Northern Ireland.