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| Kevin McGuigan murder: Sinn Féin says police chief stands by 'PIRA members' involvement' in killing | Kevin McGuigan murder: Sinn Féin says police chief stands by 'PIRA members' involvement' in killing |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Sinn Féin has said PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton stands by his force's statement that members of the Provisional IRA were involved in the murder of Kevin McGuigan Sr. | Sinn Féin has said PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton stands by his force's statement that members of the Provisional IRA were involved in the murder of Kevin McGuigan Sr. |
| It follows a meeting between a Sinn Féin delegation and Mr Hamilton on Saturday. | It follows a meeting between a Sinn Féin delegation and Mr Hamilton on Saturday. |
| Gerry Kelly, who was part of the delegation, said Mr Hamilton needed to "follow the evidence" and that his party will support the investigation. | Gerry Kelly, who was part of the delegation, said Mr Hamilton needed to "follow the evidence" and that his party will support the investigation. |
| He said the killing must stop. | He said the killing must stop. |
| Mr McGuigan Sr, a former IRA member, died after he was shot at his home in east Belfast last week. | Mr McGuigan Sr, a former IRA member, died after he was shot at his home in east Belfast last week. |
| Mr Kelly said the chief constable had agreed that Sinn Féin is in support of the police and is wedded to the political process. | Mr Kelly said the chief constable had agreed that Sinn Féin is in support of the police and is wedded to the political process. |
| The North Belfast MLA said his party had "rejected any suggestion" the IRA was involved in the killing of Mr McGuigan Sr. | |
| He said Sinn Féin had "raised concerns about a number of speculative and unhelpful comments made recently". | |
| The Ulster Unionist Party also met with Mr Hamilton on Saturday. | The Ulster Unionist Party also met with Mr Hamilton on Saturday. |
| Following their meeting, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said it was "clear the IRA still exists". | Following their meeting, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said it was "clear the IRA still exists". |
| He said Sinn Féin's credibility was "in tatters". | He said Sinn Féin's credibility was "in tatters". |
| A number of the other Northern Ireland political parties are expected to meet the chief constable later. | A number of the other Northern Ireland political parties are expected to meet the chief constable later. |
| On Friday, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said the IRA was not involved in the murder. | On Friday, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said the IRA was not involved in the murder. |
| Mr Adams said the killing of the father-of-nine was carried out by "criminals who do not represent republicanism". | Mr Adams said the killing of the father-of-nine was carried out by "criminals who do not represent republicanism". |
| The BBC understands that police believe members of the Provisional IRA co-operated with a group called Action Against Drugs to carry out the murder. | The BBC understands that police believe members of the Provisional IRA co-operated with a group called Action Against Drugs to carry out the murder. |
| Detectives believe it was in revenge for the killing of former IRA commander Gerard 'Jock' Davison in Belfast in May. | Detectives believe it was in revenge for the killing of former IRA commander Gerard 'Jock' Davison in Belfast in May. |
| Threaten | Threaten |
| Mr Adams said speculation that the IRA played a part in Mr McGuigan's murder was wrong as the organisation had "left the stage" when it ordered an end to its armed campaign in 2005. | Mr Adams said speculation that the IRA played a part in Mr McGuigan's murder was wrong as the organisation had "left the stage" when it ordered an end to its armed campaign in 2005. |
| Mr Adams criticised those who he said had "opportunistically and cynically seized" on the murder to "undermine Sinn Féin's mandate and the peace process". | Mr Adams criticised those who he said had "opportunistically and cynically seized" on the murder to "undermine Sinn Féin's mandate and the peace process". |
| First Minister Peter Robinson had earlier said he would discuss the prospect of excluding Sinn Féin from the executive with other Northern Ireland parties. | First Minister Peter Robinson had earlier said he would discuss the prospect of excluding Sinn Féin from the executive with other Northern Ireland parties. |
| Mr Adams said: "Those who threaten to take action against Sinn Féin in the assembly and executive have no basis whatsoever for this. | Mr Adams said: "Those who threaten to take action against Sinn Féin in the assembly and executive have no basis whatsoever for this. |
| "Sinn Féin's mandate and the rights and entitlements of our electorate deserve exactly the same respect and protection as anyone else's." | "Sinn Féin's mandate and the rights and entitlements of our electorate deserve exactly the same respect and protection as anyone else's." |
| A 60-year-old man arrested on Friday in connection with Mr McGuigan's murder was later released. | A 60-year-old man arrested on Friday in connection with Mr McGuigan's murder was later released. |