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Gerry Adams says Jeremy Corbyn is 'on right side of history' despite his refusal to condemn the IRA

Jeremy Corbyn on the campaign trail yesterday - PA
Jeremy Corbyn on the campaign trail yesterday - PA

Jeremy Corbyn is "on the right side of history", one of the most senior Northern Irish Republican politicians has claimed, after the Labour leader's aides were forced to publish a statement making clear he believes the IRA is a terrorist organisation.

Gerry Adams rejected intense criticism of Mr Corbyn after he was shamed by his own shadow defence secretary over his views on the IRA and claimed the Labour leader was "fundamental" in the peace process. 

It came after days of mounting pressure on Mr Corbyn after was asked repeatedly on Sunday to condemn the group and failed to do so, before being given a further opportunity at an event in Hull on Monday.

He was also asked whether he believes the IRA, which was responsible for the deaths of many innocent people as a result of bombing campaigns undertaken during the troubles, is a terrorist organisation. Mr Corbyn failed to answer both questions, instead claiming that nationalists and unionists were "brave" and worked hard to broker peace with the Good Friday Agreement, apparently praising IRA leaders.

His remarks led Ben Wallace, the Government security minister who saw service in Northern Ireland, to brand the comments a "disgrace" and warn that Mr Corbyn is "unfit" for office.

Nia Griffith shamed Mr Corbyn into changing his answer on the IRA - Credit: PA
Nia Griffith shamed Mr Corbyn into changing his answer on the IRA Credit: PA

However last night, after a high-profile intervention from his own shadow defence secretary, his aides issued a statement to clarify his views.

Answering five questions set by James Brokenshire, the Conservative Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Corbyn's aides said the leader does believe the IRA committed terrorist acts, is happy to equivocally condemn the group and believes that it cannot be equated with the British army's role in the troubles.

They also added that: "Jeremy has said that the he was opposed to the IRA's armed campaign."

However concerns remain about why Mr Corbyn failed to answer the questions himself just hours before the statement was published. 

Labour aides failed to respond to a request for comment on why the party leader failed to set out his views earlier in the day. 

President of Sinn Fein, Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness (right) at the funeral of Patrick Kelly, 30, the reputed IRA commander in East Tyrone - Credit: PA
President of Sinn Fein, Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness (right) at the funeral of Patrick Kelly, 30, the reputed IRA commander in East Tyrone Credit: PA

But Mr Adams, the Sinn Fein president, defended Mr Corbyn.

He said his comments show Mr Corbyn is "on the right side of history", adding: "What he did was very modest, what he did was very fundamental.

“He recognised the rights of the people who voted for Sinn Fein and I think he was vindicated by subsequent events. “Because where he led – others followed.”

Asked at the party's culture manifesto launch whether the IRA is a terrorist group and whether he would condemn its actions without caveats, Mr Corbyn told journalists: "I condemn all acts of violence in Northern Ireland from wherever they came".

He added: "I think we should recognise that peace was achieved by a lot of bravery both in the unionist community and the nationalist community, people that walked a very difficult extra mile when they were under pressure from their communities not to do so. 

"Both republicans and unionists walked that extra mile and brought us the Good Friday agreement and we should use this election as thanking those that brought about the Good Friday agreement."

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and Northern Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill help to carry the coffin of former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness - Credit: AFP
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and Northern Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill help to carry the coffin of former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness Credit: AFP

Mr Corbyn caused controversy in an interview with Sky News by stating his opposition to the group alongside criticism of the British army and other groups who were involved, in what critics claimed was a bid to let the IRA off the hook. 

His response, and the interview on Sunday where he failed five times to denounce the IRA, prompted Nia Griffith, the shadow defence secretary, to speak out and condemn the armed group herself.

Ms Griffith, who has clashed with the party leader previously over Trident and defence pledges made in the manifesto, told the Royal United Service Institute defence debate: "I'm not going to speak for my leader, but I can certainly tell you, as somebody who is old enough to remember the Troubles in Northern Ireland - I had friends who actually served in Northern Ireland - I absolutely and unequivocally condemn IRA bombings in Northern Ireland."

The Labour leader - Credit: Reuters
The Labour leader Credit: Reuters

Earlier in the day, as Mr Corbyn was preparing to give a speech about the party's cultural manifesto in Hull, Chuka Umunna told the BBC's Daily Politics programme that he would happily condemn the IRA for its bombing campaign, but said bringing the issue up was "playing politics".

The row prompted Mark Tipper, whose brother Simon was murdered by the IRA in the Hyde Park bombing of 1982, to reveal that he wrote to Mr Corbyn urging him to back a campaign for the alleged killer to be brought to justice.

Mr Tipper said that the Hyde Park Justice Campaign had received no response to a request for help sent to the Labour leader last month.

In a message to the Labour leader he said: "Your ignoring of us has left us to conclude that you will never support the victims of IRA atrocities or our campaign for justice, because your sympathies lie elsewhere.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams with John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn - Credit: Telegraph
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams with John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn Credit: Telegraph

It came after The Telegraph reported that MI5 opened a file on Mr Corbyn because of his links to members of the IRA during the troubles.

An editorial article by the Labour-supporting Guardian newspaper in 1996 warned of the non-party leader's attitude towards the armed group, stating: "Mr Corbyn's actions do not advance the cause of peace in Northern Ireland and are not seriously intended to do so".

The article added: "Mr Corbyn is a fool, and a fool whom the Labour Party would probably be better off without" and bemoaned his "romantic support for Irish republicans...lack of wider political and moral judgment and insensitivity".

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