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06/09/2002
Sinn Féin MP declines meeting with PSNI Chief Constable
Sinn Féin's Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew has declined a briefing offer from the PSNI Chief Constable in relation to a threat against her from loyalist paramilitaries.
Chief Constable Hugh Orde had said he was willing to brief the MP on Friday after she criticised the PSNI's role in informing her of the threat.
However, Ms Gildernew rejected the offer on the same day claiming there was "little point in meeting Mr Orde since he was unlikely to give her any further details about the threat".
She said her solicitor was trying to obtain information from Hugh Orde's office.
However, after initially receiving the news of the death threat from police, Ms Gildernew said she was "angry and frustrated, but not surprised, with the failure of the PSNI to furnish me any details about where the threat originates from or exactly what is the precise nature of the threat".
She added: "My solicitor has been in contact with the PSNI in an attempt to ascertain the origin and nature of the threat - to date with no success. This means that I am unable to properly take steps to ensure the safety of my family, my young son or myself. It is unacceptable.
"The PSNI took the highly unusual step of asking me not to go public with this threat to my life. 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.
"The role of the PSNI Special Branch in all of this is deeply dubious."
Ms Gildernew confirmed that the threat had come from an 'unspecified' loyalist group.
(MB)
Chief Constable Hugh Orde had said he was willing to brief the MP on Friday after she criticised the PSNI's role in informing her of the threat.
However, Ms Gildernew rejected the offer on the same day claiming there was "little point in meeting Mr Orde since he was unlikely to give her any further details about the threat".
She said her solicitor was trying to obtain information from Hugh Orde's office.
However, after initially receiving the news of the death threat from police, Ms Gildernew said she was "angry and frustrated, but not surprised, with the failure of the PSNI to furnish me any details about where the threat originates from or exactly what is the precise nature of the threat".
She added: "My solicitor has been in contact with the PSNI in an attempt to ascertain the origin and nature of the threat - to date with no success. This means that I am unable to properly take steps to ensure the safety of my family, my young son or myself. It is unacceptable.
"The PSNI took the highly unusual step of asking me not to go public with this threat to my life. 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.
"The role of the PSNI Special Branch in all of this is deeply dubious."
Ms Gildernew confirmed that the threat had come from an 'unspecified' loyalist group.
(MB)
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