Political reaction in Britain to the suspension of the Executive and institutions was measured yesterday. All sides urged that the period of suspension should be as short as possible to preserve the peace process.
The Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Andrew Mackay, said he strongly supported Mr Mandelson's decision and hoped that the suspension of the Executive and its institutions would be a short-term measure.
"Suspension is the best way of preserving the agreement. Far from fulfilling their obligations under the agreement, we still do not have the clarity and certainty that the IRA even intends to decommission."
Over the past two months the people of Northern Ireland had enjoyed having a locally accountable and inclusive Executive and Assembly, Mr Mackay said.
Decommissioning was the key to progress and responsibility for that remained with the paramilitaries. "Decommissioning must take place. The whole world expects them to deliver and deliver they must," he said.
The Liberal Democrat spokesman on Northern Ireland, Mr Lembit Opik, said all politicians involved in the peace process must continue to "move the position on". "The process has gone too far, and too many people have sacrificed too much, to give up on it now. The Assembly has been working well for all the people of Northern Ireland. Devolution has given local politicians the responsibility of taking decisions on local issues affecting local people.
"Whatever the short-term challenges that decommissioning presents, all sides have taken such strides towards peace, it would now be a tragedy for the people of Northern Ireland if the peace process falters for any significant period."