Adams is finished, surely?

[hopi watcher]

Adams is gone

For years even M16 have mistrusted him, preferring to deal with McGuiness instead (honest)

cYp

Wow, we have someone here with the inside track on what MI6 think!!!!

[Keith-M]

This is a private family issue for Gerry Adams and has no politicial consequences
You have to consider the views of his brothers (not Liam) and sisters views and also his mother
Nothing to do with Sinn Fein or anyones abhorence of Irish nationalism

I would have agreed with you until the last couple of days and that is why I haven't commented on this issue up to now.

However the article quoted and the information in it casts a totally different light on Gerry Adams' role. Knowing what his brother haddone, he continued to support his political career. That is not acceptable behaviour for a party leader and I, as someone who has called for the bishops who also helped the child abusing priests think that Adams should follow their example and stand aside. He is now "damaged goods" and this story is bound to come back to haunt. SF.

[toxic avenger]

If its true that he tried to get his brother barred from the party, then those that blocked that move allied themselves with someone who is on the run for an (alledged) aweful crime. Sinn Fein is not going to remove their president at the behest of the media or non-SF members and internally those who could displace Adams may already have weakened their hand. Throughout this affair politics goes on. While I do not doubt Adams personal integrity in the family side of this affair, he may have equally played the situation to the disadvantage of his internal opponents. That he canvassed for his brother is only proof that he put the party, and the wishes of the party first. In the cold light of day now the affair is in the open, Adams may have been preparing for this day and at a stroke neutralised his internal oppostion.

Hasn't this gone a million miles beyond what internal critics think though? The damage won't be done by them, it'll be done by the repeated questioning of his version of events in the media and by ordinary people. This isn't just another political fix to be got out of, this is a different order altogether. I'm honestly completely neutral on the issue of Adams' leadership of Sinn Féin, but just as a neutral observer I don't see how he can possibly continue...

[edwin]

I would suspect Adams will want to go on his own terms and in his own time and so won't resign. It would be a sad way for him to end his career by his resignation being linked with this issue. How heavy the media go on him will also have a bearing on whether it will be easy or harder for him to hang in there.

My feeling is he will tough it out for a few more years and leave at a different time under more favourable circumstances. There certainly won't be a push from inside the party to get rid unless SFs support falls drastically in the O6C as a result of this which i seriously doubt it will.

As for a new leader, Pearse Doherty is the most likeable of the contenders imo and SF should groom him for the job.

The reason this issue is damaging for Gerry is his reputation for telling a few fibs. I suspect that Martin McGuinness would be given much more leeway in a similar circumstance. Given SF's leadership cult I'm sure Gerry won't be pushed but he will have to go sooner rather than later for the sake of the party.

I hope SF do select Pearse as leader. The man makes John Bruton look like good craic! Electing a robot as leader is exactly what you need

[mutley]

The problem is that Gerry Adams' actions do not equate to his words that he believed his Niece.
No doubt the relevations about his brother put Gerry in a very difficult situation, but if he believed his niece how could he have done so little to prevent his brother working with children?
His claims that he ostracised his brother appear to ring hollow as well.
That is why his position is now untenable, the interview he gave on insight and the claims he made have been rubbished.

With regards to his own constituents, its hard to know what way they will react. West Belfast is a tight knit community, and who knows how many people there had children or nieces or nephews etc that went to the youth clubs that Laim Adams worked in.

Even the quick arrest of Laim Adams. might have bought Gerry some kudos, but that has turned into a debacle as well.

[KingKane]

apart from continued media coverage leading this his resignation is there another upcoming opportunity for him to resign? a conference, a significant shift in NI government.

You mean that he might resign if Policing and Justice were devolved and it would let some on the unionist side claim they got a head? I think it unlikely but God knows how it might play to a unionist audience.

[mutley]

You mean that he might resign if Policing and Justice were devolved and it would let some on the unionist side claim they got a head? I think it unlikely but God knows how it might play to a unionist audience.

The silence from the DUP etc regarding Laim Adams is a bit bemusing

[Sync]

Smart enough not to try to influence an upcoming criminal trial. It's one of the small instances where they're actually dead right.

[scalea]

Unfortunatley it might be the end of SinnFein as we know them..After Councillor Fordes proposal to City Hall to levy tax on the poor and unemployed after years of organising and telling people to resist them !!!

Sinn Fein are treading the path that new Labour have done, reigning in radicals, compromising on ideology and dropping all reference to it`s previous goal of a 32 county democratic socialist republic ! tyring to appeal to the middle class might just cost them a high price ! Who said "history repeats itself" !!! Joe Higgins is alone but well and uncompromised...!!!!!!

[Keith-M]

Joe Higgins is alone but well and uncompromised...!!!!!!

He's alone because he's a lunatic.