Ulster Unionist leader, Robin Swann MLA, has challenged Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald and their Northern Ireland leader, Michelle O`Neill, to disassociate themselves from the IRA Army Council.
Mr Swann said:
“The Chief Constable`s comments about the Provisional IRA are a timely reminder of the long held links stretching across the republican movement.
“The fact that the Chief Constable says that nothing has changed since the 2015 report on paramilitary groups has implications for Mary Lou McDonald as the new President of Sinn Fein. Ms McDonald may be a new leader, but it seems it`s still Gerry Adams’ Sinn Fein which she is presiding over. It also begs the question, who is dictating the terms for Sinn Fein`s return to Stormont - Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O`Neill or the shadowy figures on the IRA`s Army Council who directed one of the most ruthless terrorist killing machines in the world?
“After the last Assembly election, when every MLA signed in, they took an oath which stated that they would ‘accept no authority, direction or control on my political activities other than my democratic mandate alongside my own personal and party judgment.’
“So which is it to be for Mary Lou McDonald, Michelle O`Neill and Sinn Fein - are Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O`Neill content to walk in the footsteps of Gerry Adams or are they prepared to disassociate themselves from the IRA Army Council?”