SF 'bringing bug device to talks'

The device Sinn Fein says it found in party offices

Sinn Fein has said its delegation will bring the listening device found in its Belfast headquarters to Leeds Castle in Kent where the political parties will assemble for talks.

They said they would be looking for an explanation from the Prime Minister Tony Blair.

According to the party, the listening device was found in a floor at Connolly House in Andersonstown on Monday night.

Last week, Sinn Fein put on display another bug which it said had been found at the Belfast home of a woman who works for party president Gerry Adams.

It comes as Northern Ireland political parties finalise their positions for this week's intensive political talks at Leeds Castle in Kent.

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Northern Ireland conflict

It is understood the latest device was found while work was being carried out at Connolly House.

According to the party, the seven-section listening device had two microphones - one directed at an office, the other at a meeting room.

Mr Adams said the discovery highlighted the "hypocrisy of the British system" and blamed what he called "securocrats".

"While republicans always work on the presumption that these devices exist, the use of this very sophisticated bug is a very serious act of bad faith by the British government."

Political institutions

The prime minister's official spokesman said: "We don't comment on such matters.

"As for the coming talks, they are about the issues which the prime minister identified two years ago - decommissioning, an end to paramilitarism and a complete commitment to power-sharing."

Meanwhile, the countdown to the talks begins in earnest on Wednesday as the parties prepare to head to the castle.

Discussions, beginning on Thursday, are aimed at resolving issues surrounding the deadlock over the IRA's continued existence and power-sharing at Stormont.

They will be chaired by the British and Irish prime ministers.

The political institutions in Northern Ireland were suspended in October 2002 amid allegations of IRA intelligence gathering at the Northern Ireland Office.

The DUP and Sinn Fein have maintained high-level contacts with both governments over the summer.