“The allegations to be broadcast tonight on Spotlight demand an immediate police investigation into the alleged role of Gerry Adams in directing terrorism. Similarly it would appear that there would, on the basis of press reports thus far , appear to be serious questions which should be put to Mr Long.
“The 1970s saw the bloodiest episodes in the PIRA campaign and a shocking disregard for human life. While Donegall Street, Birmingham, La Mon, Claudy, Bloody Friday, Coleraine and a host of other atrocities may have largely slipped from the mind of the general public due to an obsession in some elements of the media with pushing a communal guilt narrative, it nonetheless remains the case that justice has been denied for these victims and countless others.
“The extremely serious allegation that Adams played a key role in directing terrorism during this bloody period demands a police investigation and not just a paper exercise for the optics.
“At a time when elderly soldiers are being hauled before the courts for alleged crimes committed in the 1970s it is nothing short of scandalous that allegations of this nature can be levelled with most people, myself included, believing that they have little prospect of action being taking for the sake of the precious process.”