6 May 1999 Edition
British set to arm Sinn Féin
Reports in Belfast last week have suggested that Mo Mowlam is set to issue personal protection weapons to senior members of Sinn Féin. The application for gun licences had previously been made ahead of the anticipated change in NIO policy that had blocked the issue of weapons to Sinn Féin members. Guns have already been issued to politicians from the SDLP, DUP, PUP and UDP.
Delays in implementing the NIO decision to put leading party members onto the Special Protection Programme have been compounded by the NIO's insistence that members of the RUC be allowed into the homes of Sinn Féin members.
Delays in implementing the NIO decision to put leading party members onto the Special Protection Programme have been compounded by the NIO's insistence that members of the RUC be allowed into the homes of Sinn Féin members.