McGuinness denies arms dump claim

Mr Martin McGuinness has dismissed claims Sinn Féin is about to announce the sealing of an IRA arms dump in return for more concessions…

Mr Martin McGuinness has dismissed claims Sinn Féin is about to announce the sealing of an IRA arms dump in return for more concessions.

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I certainly think I would have a good indication if we were approaching that type of scenario
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Mr Martin McGuinnness

The claim was made yesterday by newly elected UUP MP Mr David Burnside following his meeting with British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair.

"I think Mr Burnside was being mischievous," he said today.

"I certainly think I would have a good indication if we were approaching that type of scenario," said Mr McGuinness, who is Sinn Féin's chief negotiator.

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But there was "no indication whatsoever" given the failure of the British government to honour pledges to scale down security in Northern Ireland made at talks in Hillsborough in May last year, he said.

Mr McGuinness also indicated his party would press for a move on demilitarisation and policing at his party's meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, in Dublin later today.

"Those discussions will centre on the need to get the British government to live up to the promises it made," he told BBC Radio Foyle.

Demands for further police reform are also expected to be raised.

PA