Paisley to seek further clarification of IMC findings

DUP leader Ian Paisley is still refusing to accept that the IRA has abandoned paramilitarism and criminality in favour a political path.

In a report out today, the Independent Monitoring Commission says the republican movement is "firmly set on a political strategy" and has taken measures to disband its military structures.

The Irish and British governments are hoping the conclusions will put further pressure on the DUP to end its policy of refusing to share power with Sinn Féin.

However, Dr Paisley has already poured cold water on those expectations.

He said today that the DUP would be seeking talks with the IMC to ascertain if the measures taken by the IRA are "permanent and irreversible".

Dr Paisley also said he still had serious concerns about the murder of Denis Donaldson, the former Sinn Féin official who was shot dead earlier this year after admitting to being a British spy.

The IMC says it has been unable to reach a conclusion on who murdered Mr Donaldson.

Elsewhere, the DUP leader said republicans do not support "policing and the rule of law" and must "demonstrate in a practical and convincing way that their days of criminality and terror are gone for good".