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| Gerry Adams arrest: NI police 'seek extension' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Police are seeking more time to quiz Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, the deputy first minister has said. | Police are seeking more time to quiz Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, the deputy first minister has said. |
| "We have been told within the last couple of hours that the PSNI are seeking an extension to Gerry Adams' detention," said Martin McGuinness, his party colleague. | "We have been told within the last couple of hours that the PSNI are seeking an extension to Gerry Adams' detention," said Martin McGuinness, his party colleague. |
| Mr Adams, 65, denies allegations that he was involved in the abduction and murder of Jean McConville in 1972. | Mr Adams, 65, denies allegations that he was involved in the abduction and murder of Jean McConville in 1972. |
| He has been held for questioning at Antrim police station since Wednesday. | He has been held for questioning at Antrim police station since Wednesday. |
| Mr Adams, former MP for West Belfast and an elected representative for County Louth in the Republic of Ireland, voluntarily presented himself for interview. | Mr Adams, former MP for West Belfast and an elected representative for County Louth in the Republic of Ireland, voluntarily presented himself for interview. |
| Mr McGuinness told a news conference: "Yesterday, I said that the timing of the arrest of Gerry Adams was politically motivated. | Mr McGuinness told a news conference: "Yesterday, I said that the timing of the arrest of Gerry Adams was politically motivated. |
| "Today's decision by the PSNI to seek an extension confirms me in my view." | "Today's decision by the PSNI to seek an extension confirms me in my view." |
| He said the detention of Mr Adams was "a very, very serious situation". | He said the detention of Mr Adams was "a very, very serious situation". |
| He said Sinn Féin supported the progressive elements within the PSNI. | He said Sinn Féin supported the progressive elements within the PSNI. |
| However, he added: "There is a cabal within the PSNI who have a different agenda, a negative and destructive agenda to both the peace process and to Sinn Féin." | However, he added: "There is a cabal within the PSNI who have a different agenda, a negative and destructive agenda to both the peace process and to Sinn Féin." |
| He said Sinn Féin had been told this by "very senior members of the PSNI" who had coined the phrase the 'dark side'. | He said Sinn Féin had been told this by "very senior members of the PSNI" who had coined the phrase the 'dark side'. |
| "Am I angry? Yes I am, but it's a very controlled anger," he said. | "Am I angry? Yes I am, but it's a very controlled anger," he said. |
| In regards to Sinn Féin's support for policing in Northern Ireland, he said that would continue if the situation with Mr Adams is resolved in a satisfactory manner. | In regards to Sinn Féin's support for policing in Northern Ireland, he said that would continue if the situation with Mr Adams is resolved in a satisfactory manner. |
| "If it doesn't, we will have to review that situation." | "If it doesn't, we will have to review that situation." |
| When pressed if this meant Sinn Féin would withdraw support for the police if Mr Adams was charged he said: "We're not taking any decision at this time, about anything." | |
| Mr McGuinness added: "I believe Gerry Adams will be totally and absolutely exonerated." |