Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt has responded to comments by Martin McGuinness following the arrest of Gerry Adams in connection with the murder of Jean McConville.

Mr Nesbitt said:

“It is quite frankly outrageous for Martin McGuinness to blame what he calls “the dark side of policing in Northern Ireland” for the arrest of Gerry Adams.

“The fact is that Jean McConville was abducted and murdered by the IRA in 1972. She lost her life and ten children lost their mother.

“Quite simply the Police must be allowed to follow evidence wherever it leads them. It is a fundamental legal principle that justice and the due process of law must apply equally to everyone in a society.

“Sinn Fein cannot complain about so-called “political policing” and then seek to absolve anyone with a connection to the IRA or republican movement from investigation or arrest. That is a textbook definition of political policing.

“It is particularly galling to hear Sinn Fein politicians, who normally are perfectly content to lecture the rest of us about the need for “the truth” seek to frustrate a police investigation. Sinn Fein demand Inquiry upon Inquiry and that the truth be told by the Government, the Police, the Army and everyone but themselves. Clearly, the only truth Sinn Fein is interested in is the one that suits them.

“Finally, Sinn Fein demanded the devolution of policing and justice powers before entering Government in partnership with the DUP. The forum in which they should raise any concerns regarding policing is the Policing Board. That is where Martin McGuinness should direct his comments rather than complaining about the very system he signed up to.”