Man held over McCartney murder

A man was arrested today on suspicion of the murder of Robert McCartney, police in Belfast said.

A man was arrested today on suspicion of the murder of Robert McCartney, police in Belfast said.

It is understood the man presented himself to police with a solicitor this morning.

Mr McCartney, a father of two, was beaten and stabbed outside a bar in Belfast city centre on January 30 and died later in hospital.

The news came a day after an IRA announcement that it was prepared to shoot four people – including two expelled IRA members – involved in Mr McCartney's murder.

In the House of Commons, the Prime Minister today described the Provisionals' statement as "extraordinary".

Tony Blair said: "The IRA statement yesterday frankly defies any description. It was quite an extraordinary thing to say. It cannot be in any shape or form justified.

"There is no way we can make any progress in Northern Ireland that includes Sinn Fein unless we have a complete and total end to violence of whatever kind."