Republican SF rejects Adams' offer of talks on policing

Republican Sinn Féin has rejected Gerry Adams' offer to meet dissident republicans in an effort to explain his support for endorsing the PSNI.

Mr Adams made the offer yesterday amid growing disquiet among the republican community about Sinn Féin's imminent moves to support the Northern police service.

He said he wanted to meet dissidents, including representatives of the Real IRA and Continuity IRA, to explain why he believed the Sinn Féin peace strategy was the best way to achieve a united Ireland.

However, Republican Sinn Féin president Ruairi O'Bradaigh has accused Mr Adams of only making the invitation due to concern about recent resignations from Sinn Féin in protest at the policing move.

Mr O'Bradaigh says RSF's guiding principles were once shared by Mr Adams, until he decided to accept British institutions in the North.