British set to arm Sinn Féin
Reports in Belfast last week have suggested that Mo Mowlam is set to
issue personal protection weapons to senior members of Sinn Féin. The
application for gun licences had previously been made ahead of the
anticipated change in NIO policy that had blocked the issue of
weapons to Sinn Féin members. Guns have already been issued to
politicians from the SDLP, DUP, PUP and UDP.
Delays in implementing the NIO decision to put leading party members
onto the Special Protection Programme have been compounded by the
NIO's insistence that members of the RUC be allowed into the homes of
Sinn Féin members.
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