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Gerry Adams arrest: NI police 'seek extension' 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."
Mr McGuinness said the detention of Mr Adams was "a very, very serious situation".Mr McGuinness 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."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."Mr McGuinness added: "I believe Gerry Adams will be totally and absolutely exonerated."
Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford of the Alliance Party said: "If there are dark forces within policing, I can see no sign of dark forces."
Mr Ford, who was first appointed minister when policing and justice powers were devolved to Stormont in 2010, said: "I see a police force with very high levels of confidence, higher than the Garda Síochána (Irish police) or many forces in Great Britain.
"I see a police force carrying out its duties properly and appropriately, following up evidential opportunities where they present themselves and operating in conjunction with the community across a range of issues."
Mrs McConville, a 37-year-old widow and mother of 10, was abducted and shot by the IRA. Her body was recovered from a beach in County Louth in 2003.Mrs McConville, a 37-year-old widow and mother of 10, was abducted and shot by the IRA. Her body was recovered from a beach in County Louth in 2003.
She is one of Northern Ireland's Disappeared, those who were abducted, murdered and secretly buried by republicans during the Troubles.She is one of Northern Ireland's Disappeared, those who were abducted, murdered and secretly buried by republicans during the Troubles.
She was kidnapped in front of her children after being wrongly accused of being an informer - a claim that was dismissed after an official investigation by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman.She was kidnapped in front of her children after being wrongly accused of being an informer - a claim that was dismissed after an official investigation by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman.
Secretly buriedSecretly buried
The widow was held at one or more houses before being shot and buried in secret.The widow was held at one or more houses before being shot and buried in secret.
The IRA admitted in 1999 that it murdered and buried at secret locations nine of the Disappeared.The IRA admitted in 1999 that it murdered and buried at secret locations nine of the Disappeared.
Sixteen people are listed as "disappeared" by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains, which was established in 1999 by a treaty between the British and Irish governments.Sixteen people are listed as "disappeared" by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains, which was established in 1999 by a treaty between the British and Irish governments.
Despite extensive searches, the remains of seven of them have not been found.Despite extensive searches, the remains of seven of them have not been found.
Last month, Ivor Bell, 77, a leader in the Provisional IRA in the 1970s, was charged with aiding and abetting the murder.Last month, Ivor Bell, 77, a leader in the Provisional IRA in the 1970s, was charged with aiding and abetting the murder.
There have also been a number of other arrests over the murder recently.There have also been a number of other arrests over the murder recently.