Sinn Fein would 'welcome' IRA move

Sinn Fein chairman Mitchel McLaughlin has said his party would welcome a second act of IRA decommissioning.

Speaking on BBC's Today programme on Friday, Mr McLaughlin said such a move "would fit into Sinn Fein's aspirations".

On Monday, Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan said that a second act of IRA decommissioning could be imminent.

Sir Ronnie's comments came after weeks of intense speculation that the republican group is preparing to dispose of some of its weapons.

Mitchel McLaughlin: "We want to see all of the guns taken out of Irish politics"

Mr McLaughlin said his party wanted to see "all of the guns taken out of Irish politics and that includes IRA guns".

"What we have seen is the IRA acting, as they did last October, in a way that actually salvaged the peace process," he said

"I think they have demonstrated that they will act to enhance the peace process.

"The IRA did commit themselves to a process and it is my observation that the IRA has kept its word throughout this process.

"Never once has it given a promise that it has broken."

Sir Ronnie said: "If it happens, I think it will be yet another positive step forward.

"I think that it is likely to happen and that it will be yet another step along that road to normality.

Sir Ronnie retires from the Police Service of Northern Ireland at the end of this week.