Calls for Blair to act over suspected IRA activity

The British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair faces renewed pressure to take action against Sinn Fein today following new disclosures…

The British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair faces renewed pressure to take action against Sinn Fein today following new disclosures about IRA activity.

Hundreds of people have been warned of a potential security risk from the IRA following a fresh discovery in computer files seized during police raids earlier this year.

Security sources confirmed more politicians as well as judges, forensic scientists, police and loyalists have been informed that their details were discovered on suspected IRA intelligence files following the break-in at the top security Castlereagh police station.

A further examination of a computer seized during a raid on a republican's home in Belfast has uncovered some old material but other entries had been updated, with the word "target" typed against some of the entries, it emerged last night.

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The Democratic Unionist Party demanded that Mr Blair act against republicans.

Northern Assembly member Mr Sammy Wilson said today: "The Prime Minister promised that he would not allow people to stay in government if they were linked to an organisation which is carrying out a campaign of terror."

The latest disclosures had "huge implications" for Mr Blair, said Mr Wilson. "This is one in a long line of sins now put at the door of the IRA," he said.

But the allegations have been rejected by Sinn Fein national chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin.

The Foyle MLA said the timing of the latest revelation was "clearly linked to the concerted efforts of the spy masters and spooks within the British system who are determined to undermine the peace process and to further confuse Unionist opinion through the drip feeding of unsubstantiated allegations."

PA