SF to meet Ahern to discuss collusion

A Sinn Fein delegation is to meet Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin on Saturday to discuss the ongoing row over collusion.

While Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and chief negotiator Martin McGuinness will discuss alleged collusion between security forces and loyalist paramilitaries, it is unclear whether they will bring up the recent Stakeknife allegations which rocked the republican movement two weeks ago.

Mr McGuinness said: "For decades Sinn Fein pointed out that British Intelligence was manipulating, controlling and directing loyalist death squads as the deniable arm of the British war machine in Ireland. These assertions were dismissed and ignored.

"Recent revelations prove our case beyond any doubt. It took a long 13 years to produce the Stevens Report. This is a damning indictment of the role of British Intelligence and the Special Branch in their war against Irish republicans and nationalists."

Mr McGuinness said that while his party recently welcomed the publication of the 19 page Stevens document he said it was imperative that the remaining document, which runs into thousands of pages, was released.

"The Irish government, acting on behalf of and in the interests of Irish citizens should have full access to this report in its entirety," he added.

The Steven's Report is one of the largest ever internal investigations undertaken in the UK – resulting in 9,256 statements being taken, 10,391 documents recorded (totalling over one million pages) and 16,194 exhibits seized.

The inquiry has led to 144 arrests, and so far 94 people have been convicted. To date 57 separate reports have been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (NI) for his direction.

(MB)