Martin McGuinness (left) and Gerry Adams.
The arrest by the PSNI of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams was a “deliberate attempt to influence the outcome of elections,” Deputy First Minister and party colleague Martin McGuinness has said.
Mr Adams remains in custody and is being questioned by police about the 1972 murder of Jean McConville.
He was arrested last night after voluntarily going to police.
The late Mrs McConville.
Mr McGuinness claimed the detention was politically-motivated and Sinn Féin had been told by “senior” and “reforming” figures within the PSNI that “there was still a dark side within policing here in the north of Ireland.”
He added; “I think we have seen that dark side flex its muscles in the course of the last couple of days.
“We know who they are. The reformers know who they are.”
Mr McGuinness added former republicans who were “maliciously and vehemently hostile to the peace process” had been targeting Mr Adams and the Sinn Féin peace strategy for a considerable period of time.
He added: “It is quite disappointing to see the efforts of those people now in consort with the dark side within policing.”
Speaking before his arrest last night, Mr Adams strenuously denied being involved in the killing of the Belfast mother of 10, one of the North’s “Disappeared.”
She was abducted from home in December 1972. He remains were found in 2003 by a man walking at Shelling Hill beach, near Carlingford.
Mr Adams said: “Last month I said that I was available to meet the PSNI about the Jean McConville case. While I have concerns about the timing, I am voluntarily meeting with the PSNI this evening.
“As a republican leader I have never shirked my responsibility to build the peace. This includes dealing with the difficult issue of victims and their families. Insofar as it is possible I have worked to bring closure to victims and their families who have contacted me. Even though they may not agree, this includes the family of Jean McConville.
“I believe that the killing of Jean McConville and the secret burial of her body was wrong and a grievous injustice to her and her family.
“Well publicised, malicious allegations have been made against me. I reject these.
“While I have never disassociated myself from the IRA and I never will, I am innocent of any part in the abduction, killing or burial of Mrs McConville.”
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