Orde backs McDowell’s SF-army council claim

THE most senior police officer in the North yesterday backed up Justice Minister Michael’s McDowell’s contention that senior Sinn Féin members were also on the Provisional IRA’s Army Council.

As condemnation continued over the IRA's offer to shoot the killers of Robert McCartney, PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde interviewed in a British newspaper agreed Mr McDowell had made a reasonable assumption when claiming that Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness were on the IRA Army Council.

Mr Orde declined to state who is or isn't on the army council, but his implicit acceptance will serve to give strong substance to Mr McDowell's claims, said Department of Justice sources.