Adams told of 'credible' death threat after custody release

Mr Adams, 65, was released from Antrim police station on Sunday but a report on the investigation into him is being sent to prosecutors.

He was questioned for four days about the notorious 1972 killing of Jean McConville, and other alleged links with the IRA.

Sinn Fein Stormont Assembly member Raymond McCartney said: "The PSNI [Police Service of Northern Ireland] officer told Gerry Adams's wife Collette that they had information of a credible threat to the life of Gerry, who was not at home at the time.

"Clearly there are elements that are opposed to the peace process and anti-Sinn Fein. We will not allow them to succeed nor will we be deflected from our determination to build the peace process."

A police spokesman said the force did not discuss the security of any individual.

He added: "However, if we receive information that a person's life may be at risk we will inform the relevant persons."

Another senior Sinn Fein member, Bobby Storey, was also warned of death threats, the party said.

A decision on whether to charge Mr Adams will be made by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) at a later date after reviewing evidence presented by police.

The former West Belfast MP has vehemently rejected allegations made by former republican colleagues that he ordered Mrs McConville's abduction and death and said the family had suffered grievously.

A son of Mrs McConville has said Mr Adams threatened him with a "backlash" if he released the names of those he believed were responsible.

Michael McConville has said his family's fight for justice will go on after the Sinn Fein leader was freed, but has maintained he could be shot if he disclosed the identities of suspects to police.

He told BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "Gerry Adams says to me: 'Michael, you are getting a letter of support from the republican people'. He says, 'If you release the names I hope you are ready for the backlash.' I took it as a threat."

Mr McConville alleged the threat was made around the time a report drawn up by Northern Ireland's police ombudsman Nuala O'Loan, into claims his mother was an informer, was close to being finalised.

The Sinn Fein president had brokered a series of meetings between Mr McConville and members of the IRA.

Mr McConville said he used to tell Mr Adams what had happened in the meetings and warned him that he would release the names of those involved if Ms O'Loan's report was disputed. That was when he said the "backlash" was mentioned.

Mr McConville said that could have meant a backlash against the peace process but said he took it to mean the "backlash from republican people".

Mr Adams will refocus on election campaigning today as the political fall-out from his police custody continues to reverberate around Stormont and beyond.

Downing Street confirmed that David Cameron and Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny discussed the situation surrounding Mr Adams's arrest.

Mr Adams questioned the timing of his detention and said police had unnecessarily used "coercive" legislation to detain and quiz him.

Mr Adams said the death threat was a risk he was prepared to face in the cause of peace.

He told an election rally in Belfast: "The sham that I was put through in terms of the total failure of the PSNI to present any evidential link between me and that awful event is not the way to go forward.

"It sends entirely the wrong signal to all of those people out there who vote for the future, who in 2014 thought we had got away from that kind of practice.

"While we support the PSNI we will not be diverted from our paths and jobs of building the peace."

Mr Adams added in a later interview : "The PSNI visited my home late last night and said that there was a serious threat to my life from what they described as criminals.

"That's the risk that I and others have to take, and are prepared to take, because the peace process is bigger than us.

"This is why we have to be very steadfast and resolute and patient as well."