This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6322239.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Durkan in 'legal action threat' Durkan in 'legal action threat'
(about 16 hours later)
Assets Recovery Agency deputy head Alan McQuillan has threatened legal action against SDLP leader Mark Durkan.Assets Recovery Agency deputy head Alan McQuillan has threatened legal action against SDLP leader Mark Durkan.
He said he will press ahead unless Mr Durkan apologises for comments made in a newspaper advert last week.He said he will press ahead unless Mr Durkan apologises for comments made in a newspaper advert last week.
Mr Durkan suggested his party had influenced the appointment of Sir Hugh Orde as PSNI chief constable - a job that Alan McQuillan also applied for.Mr Durkan suggested his party had influenced the appointment of Sir Hugh Orde as PSNI chief constable - a job that Alan McQuillan also applied for.
Mr McQuillan was one of two RUC assistant chief constables who lost out to Sir Hugh.Mr McQuillan was one of two RUC assistant chief constables who lost out to Sir Hugh.
In a letter published in the Irish News last week, Mr Durkan said his party had "ensured that the Policing Board appointed Hugh Orde - and not a policeman from the old RUC order".In a letter published in the Irish News last week, Mr Durkan said his party had "ensured that the Policing Board appointed Hugh Orde - and not a policeman from the old RUC order".
Mr McQuillan claims the letter has damaged his professional reputation, and attempts to link him to collusion with loyalist paramilitaries.Mr McQuillan claims the letter has damaged his professional reputation, and attempts to link him to collusion with loyalist paramilitaries.
'Written to SDLP''Written to SDLP'
His solicitors have written to the SDLP leader and called on him to address the matter urgently by apologising for the remarks - and Mr McQuillan has said he will sue for defamation if he does not get a satisfactory response.His solicitors have written to the SDLP leader and called on him to address the matter urgently by apologising for the remarks - and Mr McQuillan has said he will sue for defamation if he does not get a satisfactory response.
"For me, there are personal issue here," said Mr McQuillan. "For me, there are personal issues here," said Mr McQuillan.
"I have been appalled at what has happened in relation... particularly to the letter Mr Durkan has chosen to publish."I have been appalled at what has happened in relation... particularly to the letter Mr Durkan has chosen to publish.
"As a result of that, I have felt compelled to instruct solicitors, and my solicitor Paul Tweed has written to the SDLP and to Mr Durkan."As a result of that, I have felt compelled to instruct solicitors, and my solicitor Paul Tweed has written to the SDLP and to Mr Durkan.
Mr Durkan said he has nothing to apologise forMr Durkan said he has nothing to apologise for
"We have asked for this matter to be addressed urgently and I am afraid if it is not then we will have to consider proceeding for defamation in this case. "We have asked for this matter to be addressed urgently and I am afraid if it is not then we will have to consider proceedings for defamation in this case.
"But I do genuinely hope that we don't have to go there and that this matter can be resolved.""But I do genuinely hope that we don't have to go there and that this matter can be resolved."
However, Mr Durkan said he has nothing to apologise for.However, Mr Durkan said he has nothing to apologise for.
"He (Mr McQuillan) is not linked to collusion in that ad," he said."He (Mr McQuillan) is not linked to collusion in that ad," he said.
"We do not link Alan McQuillan to collusion in any other shape or form either - I can give him that assurance."We do not link Alan McQuillan to collusion in any other shape or form either - I can give him that assurance.
"I don't have to give him an apology for something we haven't said, implied or suggested.""I don't have to give him an apology for something we haven't said, implied or suggested."