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Sinn Fein MLA denies 'informing' Sinn Fein MLA denies 'informing'
(about 7 hours later)
The Northern Ireland Assembly's deputy speaker has said a claim that he has been a police informer is "rubbish".The Northern Ireland Assembly's deputy speaker has said a claim that he has been a police informer is "rubbish".
The DUP's David Simpson claimed Sinn Fein's Francie Molloy had been working as an informer for almost 30 years.The DUP's David Simpson claimed Sinn Fein's Francie Molloy had been working as an informer for almost 30 years.
The Upper Bann MP used parliamentary privilege to make the allegation in the House of Commons.The Upper Bann MP used parliamentary privilege to make the allegation in the House of Commons.
He claimed Mr Molloy was recruited by police in 1979 after being caught in a compromising position and provided information which damaged the IRA.He claimed Mr Molloy was recruited by police in 1979 after being caught in a compromising position and provided information which damaged the IRA.
The Upper Bann MP also claimed in the Commons that Mr Molloy had been involved in the murder of Frederick Lutton. The former RUC Reservist, who was shot dead in Tyrone in May 1979, was Mr Simpson's cousin.The Upper Bann MP also claimed in the Commons that Mr Molloy had been involved in the murder of Frederick Lutton. The former RUC Reservist, who was shot dead in Tyrone in May 1979, was Mr Simpson's cousin.
In the Commons on Wednesday, Mr Simpson said: "Molloy passed on information to the police in Northern Ireland. This helped them to break open the IRA's notorious East Tyrone Brigade.In the Commons on Wednesday, Mr Simpson said: "Molloy passed on information to the police in Northern Ireland. This helped them to break open the IRA's notorious East Tyrone Brigade.
"Prior to Molloy's recruitment, the East Tyrone Brigade had been virtually impregnable. After it they suffered setbacks taking direct hits and losing personnel.""Prior to Molloy's recruitment, the East Tyrone Brigade had been virtually impregnable. After it they suffered setbacks taking direct hits and losing personnel."
Francie is a well-respected republican and these unfounded allegations will not affect in any way the esteem in which he is held Martin McGuinness
Mr Molloy said he had nothing to fear from republicans because they knew the allegations were untrue.Mr Molloy said he had nothing to fear from republicans because they knew the allegations were untrue.
He also challenged David Simpson to repeat his allegations outside the House of Commons, where he would not have legal protection for the remarks.He also challenged David Simpson to repeat his allegations outside the House of Commons, where he would not have legal protection for the remarks.
Mr Molloy said: "Unionist death squads in the past never stopped me going about my work representing Sinn Fein and the people who elect me.Mr Molloy said: "Unionist death squads in the past never stopped me going about my work representing Sinn Fein and the people who elect me.
"A unionist MP standing up in the British House of Commons will not succeed in this either.""A unionist MP standing up in the British House of Commons will not succeed in this either."
Sinn Fein MP Martin McGuinness described Mr Simpson's claims as "unfounded and untrue allegations" which deserved to be treated "with total contempt."
"Francie is a well-respected republican and these unfounded allegations will not affect in any way the esteem in which he is held," he said.
"These cowardly allegations, made behind the cloak of privilege, are deeply irresponsible."