Sinn Fein MP says PSNI withheld threat details

Sinn Féin¿s Ms Michelle Gildernew has accused police of failing to warn her of a loyalist threat to kill her.

Sinn Féin¿s Ms Michelle Gildernew has accused police of failing to warn her of a loyalist threat to kill her.

The Fermanagh-South Tyrone MP claims police refused to give her and her solicitor details of the death threat. Police dispute her claims.

Ms Gildernew said it had come from an "unspecified" loyalist group and was being taken seriously.

She alleges she was unable to ensure her or her baby son's safety because Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers would not give her details of who was behind the terror campaign.

READ MORE

"It is unacceptable. The PSNI took the highly unusual step of asking me not to go public with this threat on my life," she said.

"I do not believe my own personal safety was the reason for this request, nor do I believe that to remain silent will diminish the threat".

However, new Chief constable Hugh Orde today insisted he had taken steps to provide her with information which had come from Special Branch Intelligence.

"I personally offered to brief the individual myself last night. That offer was not taken up," he said. "I would be happy to discuss the issue and look into any concerns she has."