The British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair was today urged to expel Sinn Féin ministers from the Northern Ireland Executive after an attempt by hard-line unionists to oust them failed through lack of cross-community support.
Thirty anti-Agreement unionists supported the motion to expel Sinn Féin, citing alleged links to the IRA.
Just three nationalists entered the Assembly chamber to vote against, while the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) abstained.
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Rev Ian Paisley: The DUP failed in a bid to have Sinn Fein expelled from the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Assembly member Mr Nigel Dodds said the result proved that an overwhelming majority of unionists wanted Sinn Féin out.
He urged Stormont Speaker Lord Alderdice to bring the matter to the British Prime Minister.
But Lord Alderdice pointed out that the motion had related to matters within the Assembly, which were not the responsibility of Mr Blair.
"I think it would be inappropriate for me to take that action but I have no doubt that there are members within this chamber fully equipped to do what the member said." Just two pro-Agreement speakers contributed to the two-hour debate called by the Rev Ian Paisley's DUP.
Mr Paisley's opponents dismissed the motion as a "political stunt" timed to embarrass his rivals in the Ulster Unionist Party ahead of their AGM on Saturday.
Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams and other leading members of the party were in Dublin attending a party executive meeting today.
SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan and his deputy Ms Bríd Rodgers were also in Dublin to meet the Taoiseach.
PA