The SDLP today castigated Sinn Féin over the IRA's suspected involvement in the Belfast bank heist.
Former Stormont finance minister Mr Sean Farren said nationalist parties on both sides of the Border were angry with republicans about the damage the £26.5 million sterling Northern Bank raid had inflicted on the talks.
The North Antrim Assembly member claimed the only person who had benefited from the robbery politically was DUP leader Mr Paisley.
Sean Farren, SDLP
"Sinn Féin talk about their mandate," Mr Farren said. "They have a mandate for lasting peace and equality, yet in the negotiations when they were meant to be working for peace, they knew the IRA was planning the biggest robbery ever. They abused their own mandate.
"No nationalist voted for kidnapping a family and armed robbery. Nationalists resent the way unionists are now making out that they support kidnappings and crime."
Mr Farren said as a result of the robbery, it was going to be even more difficult getting the Agreement implemented and there was also danger of longer direct rule from Westminster.
The British government came under pressure today to have all House of Commons allowances and privileges withdrawn from Sinn Féin MPs.
Tory opposition leader Mr Michael Howard signed a motion from the Democratic Unionists calling for the removal of the privileges.
The motion claimed Sinn Féin could not be treated like a normal democratic party because of its links to the IRA.
Democratic Unionist Party chief whip Mr Nigel Dodds said: "We have tabled this early day motion to seek the removal of privileges and allowances from the four Sinn Féin MPs.
PA