By Michael McHugh, Press Association and Q Radio News
Northern Ireland's police chief has said he is not threatening parents with the removal of their children.
PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said he never intended to suggest youngsters be used as a weapon or pawn in the fight against paramilitarism.
He has faced a backlash in some quarters over comments suggesting parents who used guns could have their children taken into state care.
🎥@ChiefConPSNI Simon Byrne says he never intended to suggest children could be used as a pawn in the fight against paramilitarism. He faced backlash at his first @NIPolicingBoard following comments suggesting parents who use guns, could have their children taken into care: pic.twitter.com/zYVH80OTl8
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 5, 2019
Mr Byrne told the Policing Board: "I would not want the message to go out that I am trying to hold the Sword of Damocles over parents."
Mr Byrne made his original comments during a policing conference in Belfast earlier this week.
He said a range of measures could be taken against paramilitaries including seizure of their homes and cars, while their children could be taken into state care.
On Thursday the senior officer clarified that children should not be used as pawns in the fight against terrorism.
Search operation under way after reports of man going overboard from ferry
Sentencing Bill, including Charlotte’s Law, to be introduced shortly: Naomi Long
Man dies following crash between car and van in Hillsborough
Woman dies in Cookstown road crash
Extra £400m to support health and education in Northern Ireland