Major lashes IRA on visit to Ulster

John Major, in Northern Ireland yesterday for his traditional pre-Christmas visit, concentrated his political fire on Sinn Fein and the IRA.

In a Belfast Telegraph interview, Mr Major indicated that his recent statement of policy in response to Sinn Fein should be taken as his "last definitive word on the subject before the election". Attacking the Sinn Fein president, Gerry Adams, the Prime Minister declared: "If Mr Adams wants to enter into the talks, and if he really wants peace, as he says he does, he has to stop preparing for war. He hasn't stopped preparing for war." David McKittrick