IRA apology 'not sufficient'

Ulster Unionists said tonight the IRA apology was not enough - they wanted more, including an assurance that the war was over.

In an unprecedented statement, the republican terror group offered its "sincere apologies and condolences" to the families of victims during 30 years of violence.

But Lord Kilclooney, former party deputy leader John Taylor MP, said what the IRA said was "not sufficient".

"It is not sympathy that Ulster Unionists want from the IRA but an assurance that the war is over."

He added: "There is absolutely no such assurance from the IRA. Instead, the statement is words, words and more words.

"It provides for the IRA to continue, as in recent years, with more purchases of illegal arms, more murders, more beatings of innocent Catholics and more international adventures.

"I say to the IRA/Sinn Fein, more is needed from you.

Certainly on this basis Sinn Fein is not welcome into the membership of the Northern Ireland Policing Board."