Former Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, has said the British government has "no stomach" to fight the IRA. He also predicted that the Sinn FΘin president, Mr Gerry Adams, could see a united Ireland in his lifetime.
Writing in the January issue of GQ magazine, Mr Mandelson said he believed Mr Adams would see government office in the Republic "if he chooses to accept it".
"If he [Mr Adams] grows to old age and population changes as well as enduring political stability are reflected in a referendum outcome in favour of change, he will probably see a united Ireland (although becoming its head of state may be out of his reach)," the former Northern Secretary concluded.
Mr Mandelson expressed concern about concessions made to republicans by the British government, saying they had "gone beyond what was originally thought advisable".
As there was no realistic alternative, however, many people would judge the concessions "a price worth paying for peace", he added.
The only alternative would be to clamp down on the IRA and its sister splinter groups, an option the British government was unlikely to take up. "There is no stomach or will for this fight in Britain. It would not receive international support. It would carry the risk of uncontrollable violence and loss of life," he concluded.
Mr Mandelson's comments were criticised by the Conservative Party's Shadow Northern Secretary, Mr Quentin Davis, who said the remarks showed a "complete lack of judgment" and would only serve to further undermine unionist confidence.
A DUP MLA, Mr Sammy Wilson, said Mr Mandelson's comments "confirmed everything the DUP has said about the Belfast Agreement and subsequent concessions to IRA/Sinn FΘin".
"Mr Mandelson has issued a warning about the ultimate consequences of this surrender policy. It is now up to the majority unionist population to make its stand to prove him wrong and thwart the designs of the terrorists," Mr Wilson said.