DUP: Orde comments show how far IRA has to go

The Democratic Unionist Party has said recent comments by PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde showed how far the IRA had to go before unionists could be satisfied that Sinn Féin was truly democratic.

Mr Orde had said that he had no evidence that the IRA intended to disband and that its arsenal continues to pose an unacceptable threat.

However, he also said the organisation did not appear to be planning any return to violence. The DUP’s Ian Paisley Jnr said this showed the extent of action needed from republicans as part of any deal that may be agreed at next month’s make-or-break talks in Britain.