04/05/2014 BBC Newsline

You can see more on all of today's ceasefires and get a first

Hello, and welcome to a specially extended edition of BBC Newsline.

The Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has been released without charge,

having been questioned for four days in connection with the murder of

Jean McConville. A file is to be sent to the Public Prosecution

Service who will make a final decision on whether or not charges

will be brought against him. There were tensions at Antrim Police

Station, as Mr Adams was driven away.

Late this afternoon, loyalist protesters gathered outside Antrim

Police Station Wadsworth and come through the Sinn Fein leader was

being released. Then, the police in a decoy operation, brought vehicles

and officers in riot gear acting as a chord in between protesters and

the supposed except by the Sinn Fein leader. There was a brief protest

but those taking part were oblivious to the fact Mr Adams was being

driven out off the back gate. More officers were gathered there. Police

at the front then retreated and there was some heckling as

protesters realised what had happened.

After his release, Gerry Adams made his way to a hotel in West Belfast

where, a short time ago, he spoke to reporters. Be aware there's some

flash photography. Let me be very clear. I am innocent

of any involvement in any conspiracy to abduct, kill or bury Mrs

McConville. I have worked hard with others to have this injustice

addressed and for the return of the bodies of others killed in the

conflict who was secretly buried by the IRA. I will continue to do so.

People have carved out a new dispensation, the past needs to be

dealt with and Sinn Fein is up for doing this. There can be no going

back. There is no possibility of going back. I did not go to Antrim

expecting special treatment. But it is crucial everyone is

treated fairly. And I seek fair treatment not just for myself or

only for myself but because it is crucially important that the signal

goes out that everybody knows that these are changed times. Things have

changed. That they will be treated fairly and we can all have hope and

confidence in the new developing dispensation including the police

service. To send any other signal is to encourage the bigots. So, I make

the case that those who authorised my arrest and detention could have

done it differently. They had discretion. They did not have to use

coercive legislation over an issue as serious as this. Which I was

voluntarily prepared to deal with. They did not have to do this in the

middle of an election campaign. I contacted them two months ago. I

want to make it clear I support the PSNI. I will continue to work with

others to build a genuine policing service. The old guard which is

against change whether in the PSNI leadership, or the far fringes of

self-proclaimed pseudo- Republicans, they cannot win. The

dark side of the system cannot be allowed to deny any of our people,

Catholic, Protestant or dissenter, from our entitlement to a rights

-based citizen centred society as set out in the group Friday

agreement. I have never disassociated myself from the IRA

and I never will. But I am glad that I and others have created a peaceful

and democratic way forward for everyone. The IRA has gone. It is

finished. So, my resolve and the result of this leadership remains as

strong as ever. To build a peace, not to let this put us off, not to

let anyone use this as an excuse, not to let anyone, whether on the

dark side all within the individuals, not to let any of those

stop citizens here having their full rights and entitlements. I'm joined

now by our home affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney.

During that news conference, he gave us some insight into the line of

questioning. There were allegations he was

involved in the murder of Jean McConville. Gerry Adams gave some

detail, he said there had been 33 taped interviews going back to the

1960s. He was questioned over the contents of books he had bitten.

Over photographs. Some of the contents of an oral history

programme, referred to as the Boston takes, some of which were said to

have implicated Gerry Adams. Sending a file to the PPS, what exactly does

this mean? It means the police did not believe

they had sufficient evidence to merit a prosecution. We don't know

what the contents of the file would be. Police may recommend a

prosecution or no prosecution. Given the huge publicity, it could simply

set out the steps they have taken and the bases of questioning. This

means the police did not believe there was sufficient evidence to

merit a prosecution. Does it mean there is a likelihood of charges? It

can never be definitive. The prosecutors were considering the

contents of this file. The fact is, if the police believed there was

sufficient evidence to merit a prosecution, a real prospect of

securing a conviction, they would have charged Gerry Adams rather than

release him. Allegations have been around for many years over his

involvement in the murder of Jean McConville, and his involvement with

the IRA. The police made it clear the decision was taken because

detectives believed there was sufficient information to put to

him. He was released without charge after four days. It suggests the

evidence was not strong enough. Given that information, it is

reasonable to assume it is not likely that this has sufficient

evidence. What does this mean for the

relationship between Sinn Fein and the police?

Very bad indeed, this is hugely embarrassing for the police. The

decision to arrest Gerry Adams was a high-risk gamble. We heard Martin

McGuinness talk about the dark side of policing. This time, there was a

threat Sinn Fein might withdraw support for the police. Gerry Adams

spoke about the old guard using old method. -- methods. These were

strong words, allegations of a cabal. These words cannot be taken

back. Clearly, a lot of damage has been done between Sinn Fein and

those within the PSNI. Long-term damage which could take time to

repair. Earlier tonight, Jean McConville's

son, Michael, spoke to our reporter Julian Fowler. He asked him what the

family hoped would happen now? We want the police to be able to do

their job. Without anybody interfering with police work. The

politicians or anyone else. It doesn't matter when this crime

happened, a year ago or 40 years ago. It is a murder which shouldn't

have taken place. There is no justification for murder. It does

not matter what the IRA says. We have proved our mother was not an

informant. We want to see the proper people going to a court of law and

getting a sentence. Under the Good Friday agreement. But we do think

anybody who is involved in this, when they do get brought before the

court, it should not be in Northern Highland, but in The Hague, because

it is a war crime. This happened in the 1970s and 1980s. Nazis had been

chased all around the world for war crimes. From the 1940s. There is no

difference in those people and our mother. You said in the past you

know the names of those involved but you were not prepared to give them

to the police. Has that changed? It hasn't changed in the last few days.

In fact, it gets stronger. When you see the likes of the protests. If

that is not there for anyone come everyone to see, I don't know what

is. Will you not now go to the police? I

do not trust Sinn Fein. I will not be taking what they say seriously.

Joining me now is North Belfast DUP MP Nigel Dodds. And Alex Maskey from

Sinn Fein. Nigel Dodds. Four days, 33 tapes

looking back as far as Gerry Adams' childhood. Was this a fishing

expedition? No, the rule of law has two run its

course. Nobody should be above the law, whether they are a protected --

an elected politician or not. We have seen a self pitying victim. The

real victims are the McConville family, Jean McConville who was

abducted, murdered, tortured, disappeared. The republican movement

denied they were involved. The message goes out, no matter who you

are, the rule of law should apply equally. The police had a job to

do. They have sent a file to the PPS. Barry McCrory has said he would

not have anything to do with it. It has to be independent. Let's see

what the proper judicial course will be, it should be free from political

interference. Are you going to drop those

allegations? No we stand by all of the

allegations. It is interesting to note that even in the last 48 hours

I have been dealing with senior PSNI officers in my own constituency and

will do so tomorrow and the day after. We have a legitimate right to

make criticisms of them. We believe they are misusing the law or making

a botched effort in the last number of days. We have an obligation to

level that criticism. But surely you are the ones being

political? No, we criticised them because they -- we believe they were

wrong for doing that in the manner in which they did it and you heard

that from Gerry Adams this evening when he pointed out the nature of

the allegations put to him and the level of interviews conducted. I

would have to say it sends out a negative signal to the community. We

are trying to work with the PSNI to build support within those

communities so we made legitimate criticism and we are obligated to do

it. Gerry Adams reaffirmed in a determined way we will work with the

PSNI to make sure we get a good and supportive police service.

He spoke tonight about work still to be done and he would do that and so

would Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson. Is it forgiven and

forgotten? Well, not to engage in spurious talk about political

policing. The political isolation of Sinn Fein in broader nationalism in

terms of politicians in the Irish Republic and virtual silence from

the US. There is very little support for the allegation of political

policing even coming from nationalism. Sinn Fein have been

guilty of providing total lack of leadership. They lecture others

about giving leadership when it comes to policing, but when it came

to people saying let the rule of law taking its course no matter how an

mighty people might be, but then they say the dark side of this

appears. If they are serious about a cabal and dark forces, let the name

them. Because it can only be the persistent -- the police Chief

Constable and senior members of the police they are talking about. They

are now playing into the hands of dissidents. They have now empowered

dissidents who can turn around to Sinn Fein and say, why are you

telling us to accept the police if you are saying there is a dark

cabal? What is important to do is to

recognise what we have. It is very important for people and political

representatives to send a signal that, despite these difficulties, we

have a collective responsibility to make sure that we get the people out

there hope for the future. Let us remember that Sinn Fein is the

largest national party here across the North and growing on the basis

of policies we have pointed out and we want to work for people out here

and this advice to people who need support from all the political

parties and the austerity measures people have to endure.

Let's get some more of the detail from Gerry Adams news conference

now. He was asked earlier for his reaction to Peter Robinson's

comments today on members of Sinn Fein using "bully boy tactics" when

it came to claims of political policing. Peter Robinson is a

partner in government with us and is in a coat equal position with my

comrades here, Martin McGuinness. He has work to do with us and we have

work to do with him and we will continue to do that. I have said and

I wrote those remarks in myself this morning. I said that we are utterly

committed to this peace process. There will be difficulties and

blockages but there is only one way and that is forward.

Our political editor joins us now. In the midst of the election a lot

is made of that. Will it damage the party?

I don't think so. If anything it could end up being a bit of a

positive for Sinn Fein. If there were charges it would be a

completely different story. They probably have an extremely safe seat

here in terms of the European election but it may have dented

things south of the border. Gerry Adams put on a pretty sure-footed

performance tonight. Probably more sure-footed than some of his party

colleagues over the last few days when they seemed to be quite

rattled. They will probably make the most of this. Those who may have

been considering voted for them, I doubt many will have been put off.

Disagreements between the two parties over this political policing

line but where does it leave relations between the two of them?

Things were getting hot and heavy. Peter Robinson warned Sinn Fein they

had crossed the line and should pull back. The emphasis will now be on

pulling back from this and the fact that Gerry Adams has been released

without charge, I think Sinn Fein will dampen down some of its

criticism. But they have handed a bit of ammunition to their critics

amongst the dissidents when they talked about a cabal within the PSNI

and they will have to square that now because there will be the likes

of Brendan McKenna, for instance, putting out a statement saying if

that is so, why have they only discovered it now?

And with these allegations, where does that leave confidence in

policing? Obviously we have had... Over the

last four years Martin McGuinness went out on a limb saying... And we

now have a situation where there have been some serious damage done

to the relationship between the PSNI and Sinn Fein which will require

repair work and that has ramifications for the wider

nationalist community. What about London and Dublin? Is this a wake-up

call? David Cameron has been involved obviously. He talked to

Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson earlier in the week. I think he will

feel that maybe he has to keep a closer eye on events here.

Thanks very much. We'll get some more reaction in just

a moment, but now some of today's other news. The homes of three

Polish families have been attacked in East Belfast. The rented houses

on Roslyn street were daubed with graffiti saying "locals only" and

"get out". It follows a spate of racist attacks in the area which the

police blame on the UVF. Fire crews have dealt with an overnight blaze

at retail premises in County Antrim. A bingo hall in Laharna Retail Park

on the Circular Road in Larne was damaged in the blaze which broke out

just before four o'clock this morning. At its height, around 50

firefighters were at the scene and eight pumping appliances had to be

used. Luckily, it didn't reach a particular area and that was largely

due to a sustained attack on the fire and preventing it from

travelling to the foot -- fabric of the building. Glass was broken in

Windows but thankfully the fire didn't spread to other premises.

Being a retail Park, premises have adjoining buildings with quite

significant -- significant fire loading.

Back to our main story and joining me now are Irish News editor Noel

Doran and commentator Alex Kane. Was this a miscalculation by the

police? The police had to investigate. If there is an

allegation of a crime it has to be looked into. The need for the

process to take place immediately before an election will be

questioned but when press conferences are over and protesters

have faded away, we will be left with a largely dysfunctional

executive at Stormont and we have to come up with a way of dealing with

the past. What do you think about election prospects for seeing --

Sinn Fein north and south of the border? In the north, they have a

strong electoral machine and they will get their vote out regardless.

As has been suggested, this will probably assist that. In the South,

Sinn Fein have been surging ahead. But we don't know how solid that

support is. It is harder to call there but it will be difficult to

see any damage in the North. Alex Kane, do you think they will

fare better in the South? I think they will do fairly well across

Ireland because there is nothing quite like the emotional appeal of

Sinn Fein being able to say, one of our own has been locked up by the

Brits. It also takes all the focus of the relationship they have with

the DUP and the fact they haven't sorted out welfare or shed

education. This is now an issue entirely for them. They couldn't

have asked for a better opportunity, from their point of view. But where

does it leave Unionists? The wide perception across Unionism was that

he would not be charged so they are not surprised. But there is a

perception in the grassroot element that they sense it is all part of

political policing. Peter Robinson doesn't normally do press releases

on a Sunday but he said the perception will be that if Gerry

Adams isn't charged that it is because someone has given into Sinn

Fein pressure. He said that so there are people on the ground across

loyalism in particular who believe that is what happened and that is

bad Unionism. What will your editorial say

tomorrow? We will suggest it is high time foot our politicians to take a

measured approach. We are saying that it was alarming to hear that

Sinn Fein support for policing was conditional and Gerry Adams made it

clear with some authority that he was endorsing the new policing

structures. No sooner than that had been addressed, Peter Robinson

talked about bully boy tactics and attempting to blackmail the police.

We will also suggest his track record in that regard is far from

trouble-free during the flag protests. Alex, it has been a

different -- difficult number of months so people could be forgiven

for losing faith given how quickly things can disintegrate. You can

write a measured editorial and most people would like the parties to

work together. The blunt and brutal reality is that they despise each

other and there is no other word for it. They share nothing in common,

they have no vision or agenda in, and they don't even agree on what

you call Northern Ireland. When two parties in government do not want to

agree all that is going to happen is increasing numbers of people will

give up because they are getting no resolution to the issues of legacy

but they are also getting terrible government.

Is there something that can be done at this stage? The new centre ground

party of liberal Unionism has caused them enormous trouble because this

will become one of the most bitter and brutal elections we have had for

a number of years. The alliance already is under some problems and

they will struggle to get 78% between them.

This has certainly brought back the issue of the disappeared and

particularly the murder of Jean McConville but no real clarity for

the family. No, other than the suggestion they

could be some form of civil proceedings taken against Gerry

Adams further down the line. You can sense the raw emotion and grief with

every interview they do. Of course, in wider terms there is no form of

truth commission or Justice Forum agreed by the politicians which is

an enormous failing on their part. If anything is to come out of

Stormont, surely we can find some structure or process of dealing with

a past which will address the pain of families like the McConville 's.

There is the risk of a shower persisting tonight. Plenty of cloud

cover so a mild night with lows of up to 10 Celsius. Tonight we are in

a clear space before the next band of rain and the mass of warm, moist

air spreading across Northern Ireland tomorrow. It will be quite a

cloudy bank holiday with a deal of rain around. For the marathon it

gets underway in Belfast at nine o'clock tomorrow morning. A dry

stopped for the runners but by the end of the marathon the rain will be

coming down. It works its way from West to East spreading to all parts.

It will be a soggy old bank holiday Monday. A bit of a North West and

South East split in the weather across the UK and Ireland tomorrow.

For Northern Ireland, West Wales and Scotland there will be a good deal

of rain around and a much drier picture across England. Decent

temperatures in the south-east. We won't see temperatures like that.

Still feeling reasonably mild as we go through the day, but certainly a

damp squib with that rain. Through the night and into Tuesday, another

reasonably mild night. Casting our eye towards next week where it is

bikes rather than runners, a breezy picture and we will start to she --

sees showery conditions but also some sunshine as well. A brighter

field to Tuesday and temperatures nudging up. An unsettled week so

rain is never far away. Not the best few days ahead but it picks up

towards the middle of the week. Our next BBC Newsline bulletin is at

6.25 in the morning. You can also get all the latest reaction to the

Gerry Adams story on Good Morning Ulster starting at 6.30. From

everyone on the BBC Newsline team, good bye.