Negotiations “haven’t proceeded the way we would have expected.”

The Tories can't even impose their will on a bunch of Irish God Botherers they outnumber 30 to 1. 

How the Hell are they going to beat Europe into submission?

Agreeing a deal with a party that is basically on your side shouldn't be so bloody difficult, woman!

Theresa May said she'd thrash Labour ... She didn't.

She said she's bend the DUP to her will ... She didn't.

She says she'll negotiate a deal of absolute awesomeness with Europe ... Given her track record, how do you think that will work out?

Still, third one's a charm, eh, Tessa?

Jeremy Corbyn is far better at talking to Irish people!

Adams' arrest is the price of peace

The police have been granted more time to question Gerry Adams over involvement in the murder of Jean McConville in 1972.

Mr Adams, 65, vehemently denies allegations levelled by former republican colleagues that he ordered Jean McConville's murder and secret burial in 1972 after she was wrongly accused of passing information to the security forces.

Well, he would, wouldn't he, as he has always denied being a member of the IRA.

It isn't surprising that the police need more time to interrogate Adams. After all, he's had more than 40 years to prepare his answers ...

Unsurprisingly, the arrest of Adams has attracted a lot of Republican ire, including threats to withdraw co-operation with the police and the hint that the peace process itself may be jeopardised.

I think the arrest of Adams is justified. He has been implicated in a grotesque murder. No matter what militarist jargon you use, whatever justifications you attempt, a widowed mother of ten was brutally murdered.

Even if she was acting on behalf of British intelligence - which is very doubtful - her killing was a barbaric, evil act. If Adams knows anything about it - and it is preposterous to suggest he doesn't - he needs to admit it. It was a dark act from the dark days of the 1970s.

Adams deserves credit for dragging the Republican movement into peace talks and ending the bloodshed an violence. Another of Moloney's points is that Adams started moving the IRA away from violence long is generally realised. In the mid 80s, he started making the first contacts with Ireland and London, and reversed the abstentionism policy for political institutions. The infamous "Aramlite and the ballot box" strategy was actually a massive commitment towards democracy and a crucial step towards peace.

Adams might have done some reprehensible things but without him, there probably would not have been a peace settlement and the psychotic violence would still be going on.  But he owes the peace the truth. Denying any involvement in McConville's murder, and letting her killers walk freely, is an insult to her, her children and the peace process he started.

It also mitigates the shame of Britain's own failings in Ireland - as long as the circumstances around McConville's death is still a dirty little secret for the IRA, then it is hypocritical for Adams and others to talk about truth and reconciliation, and for the British to account for their own bloody actions.

He needs to face the consequences of what he (most likely) was involved in. So does everyone.

I hope the threats about withdrawing co-operation with the police and intimations of the peace coming to an end are just bluster. Whatever his past, Adams was committed to a settled, compromise peace by the mid 80s, an incredibly dangerous position to take.

Oddly, the test of his legacy will be seeing if the settlement can survive his arrest, possible trial and conviction. If it can, in a strange way, it will show how much of an impact he had.

The Murder of Jean McConville

Gerry Adams has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Jean McConville, murdered by the IRA in 1972.

By coincidence, I'm currently reading Ed Moloney's book about Adams, the IRA and the peace process, A Secret History of the IRA.

According to Ed Moloney, McConville was working as a British 'spotter,' reporting on IRA activities in her area. She was caught and warned by the IRA, but her British controller compelled her to continue working, after which the IRA murdered her.  I mention this not to try to justify the cold-blooded murder of a widow with 10 children, but to suggest this might blow back in British faces as well, which is good.  Full and frank disclosures about what both sides were up to is essential.

The British agent story has been attacked and has never been substantiated. On the other hand, the suggestion she was murdered by the IRA for giving comfort to an injured soldier seems a bit far fetched.  Murdering her and denying it happened wouldn't really send a message to other potential collaborators.  But disappearing was what was done to systemic traitors. 

Moloney says plans for killing would have been known to Adams, and would have been authorised by him as the IRA Belfast commander. Oddly, this fits with what Adams has said: "While I have never disassociated myself from the IRA and I never will, I am innocent of any part in the abduction, killing or burial of Mrs McConville."

Which is a bit equivocal.  He is not denying all knowledge of it, or that he authorised the deed.

Who actually wanted the killing is not identified.  Moloney only says the killing was the result of the actions of two "ruthless men" - one the British controller, the other a "senior IRA figure in Belfast who decided that her secret death would suit his purposes."

Moloney identifies Adams as an IRA member and the man in charge of the IRA's Belfast unit that carried out the killing. Adams has always denied involvement with the IRA and accused Moloney of libel (but never got around to suing him.  Might be he suddenly realises Moloney was right all along, especially the bit about British intelligence using McConville as an agent.

I note Ivor Bell, for some time Adams's lieutenant, was arrested more quietly a few days ago.  He was Adams's deputy as brigade commander at the time.  I suspect Adams is simply helping set up his old comrade and will be mysteriously found blameless of involvement in McConville's murder, as will British intelligence.