SINN FEIN negotiator, Mr Gerry Kelly, has denied he is "in hiding" from the RUC since his arrest on Friday during a demonstration in Belfast. "If the RUC wish to speak with me they can contact my solicitor," Mr Kelly said in a statement last night.
He said he had been present at the protest of local residents in the Cliftonville Road area against a "highly controversial" Orange Order march. "I was there in an observer capacity, having been recently elected as a Sinn Fein peace negotiator. While attempting to speak to the RUC I was physically assaulted then dragged off and forcibly handcuffed by a number of them."
Mr Kelly said he had noted media reports that the RUC was "hunting" for him. "I should like to make it clear that I am not in hiding and will not be intimidated by the RUC. In fact, I have carried on with my usual political and personal engagements since Friday."
He said he had made a full statement to his solicitor and asked him to "pursue a wrongful arrest and assault claim against the RUC".