Adams begins party talks on policing

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams is embarking on the first in a series of public meetings across the North to consult republicans about his party's plan to endorse the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The West Belfast MP will hold the first public meeting in Toome, Co Antrim, before travelling to Co Tyrone for a policing debate in Galbally.

Meetings are also planned over the coming days in Newcastle, Newry, Belfast, Lurgan and Derry ahead of January 28's special Sinn Féin Árd Fheis.

Mr Adams and the party leadership believe the time is now right for republicans to endorse the PSNI.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair believe that Sinn Féin support for the police in the North will be the deciding factor in any move by Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists to form a powersharing government with republicans at Stormont in March.

For some republicans the idea of Sinn Féin endorsing the police in the North would be a step too far and the party is facing the possibility of independent candidates challenging them for the nationalist vote in the Assembly elections scheduled for March 7.

Among those who could challenge Sinn Féin candidates in the election are Newry and Armagh MLA Davy Hyland and former IRA gunrunner Gerry McGeough in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

Hardline republicans have also in recent weeks threatened the lives of senior Sinn Féin figures including Mr Adams.

The Sinn Féin leader, however, this week offered to meet the leaderships of the Real IRA, the Continuity IRA and the Irish National Liberation Army in a bid to persuade them that his party's peace strategy makes sense and will advance the cause of a united Ireland.

In addition to the public meetings organised by Sinn Féin, the party has also been involved in numerous meetings with activists on a local level across the 18 constituencies in the North.