Adams 'was involved in bombing'

Gerry Adams (centre) at an IRA funeral

Gerry Adams was involved in the IRA bombing of the La Mon hotel 25 years ago, a unionist MP has told the House of Commons.

Strangford MP Iris Robinson used parliamentary privilege to make the claim in the House of Commons on Thursday.

Mr Adams has rejected the claim.

Mrs Robinson said the police were certain the attack was sanctioned and approved by the Sinn Fein leader.

I believe that the victims of La Mon cannot simply put this chapter behind them until such times as they obtain answers to their questions

Iris Robinson
DUP

Twelve people died in the IRA attack at the hotel on the outskirts of Belfast in February 1978.

Mrs Robinson said that a full independent inquiry should now be held.

"The government's policy in Northern Ireland is to place in government those who represent the organisation that carried out this attack," said the Democratic Unionist.

"More than that the distinct possibility is that a candidate for one of the top government posts after the next election will be the man who was arrested by the police during their investigation into this bombing and who is known to have control over the team responsible for this outrage and carnage."

She added: "I believe that the victims of La Mon cannot simply put this chapter behind them until such times as they obtain answers to their questions.

"There should be no cover-ups and no one should be above the law.

There is no truth whatever in the accusation

Gerry Adams
Sinn Fein

"The police are certain that this attack was sanctioned and approved by Gerald Adams who was then in command of those who are known to have carried it out."

Mr Adams said the remarks were made to deflect attention away from developments in the Stevens Inquiry into alleged collusion between the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries.

"There is no truth whatever in the accusation made by (Mrs) Robinson," he said.

"It is no coincidence that in the day the Stevens Inquiry announced the most important development in recent years into the investigation of collusion, and in particular of (murdered Belfast solicitor) Pat Finucane's death, Robinson engages in this piece of theatrics."

Responding to Mrs Robinson's call for an inquiry, Northern Ireland Minister Des Browne said he understood her argument but the government had no plans to establish an inquiry.