Blair taking Orde statement 'very seriously'

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said Mr Blair takes today's statement by Northern Ireland Chief Constable Hugh Orde that the IRA was behind the £26.5m (€37.7m) Northern Bank robbery "very seriously".

“He has made it repeatedly clear over the past two years that the political institutions in Northern Ireland can only be restored if there is a complete end to all paramilitary activity by those involved, and that includes all criminal activity," Mr Blair's spokesman said.