The Ulster Unionist MP, Mr Ken Maginnis, has accused the Provisional IRA of deliberately lying in its statement on the murder of Mr Charles Bennett and gun smuggling in the US. "Somebody once said there are ordinary lies and damn lies and I would place the IRA statement in the second category," he said.
"I have no doubt the Provos were involved in Charles Bennett's murder. I have information from international security sources that the Florida gun-smuggling was officially sanctioned by the Provo leadership and was not a freelance or dissident operation." The dissident UUP MP Mr Willie Thompson said it would be immoral for the British government to accept the statement and allow Sinn Fein to continue unhindered in the talks process. "Everybody knows the IRA murdered Charles Bennett," he said.
The Rev Ian Paisley said the Provisionals were shifting the goalposts in relation to their ceasefire by claiming it was still intact despite the Bennett murder. "If they want to exempt you from the ceasefire and murder you, they can do it. They are the judge and jury and they decide on the parameters. It is evidently not an unconditional ceasefire."
The UDP leader, Mr Gary McMichael, said he was "completely convinced" the Provisionals were involved in both the murder and gun-smuggling. Their statement was "a carefully worded attempt to wriggle off the hook". He has written to President Clinton about the attempted arms importation.
However, the PUP spokesman, Mr David Ervine, said it was a positive sign that the Provisionals had issued a statement. "They are answering public opinion and that is no bad thing. If they are responding, it shows they are conscious of how the atmosphere has been polluted in recent weeks."
The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, welcomed the IRA statement and said it should end speculation about the ceasefire. "The challenge remains for all of us in political leadership, but especially those of us who want a better future, to oppose the rejectionists and the wreckers."
Mr Sean Farren of the SDLP said his party would not comment on the IRA statement which was a matter for the two governments. "We share the widespread outrage and concern over recent developments, in particular the killing of Mr Bennett and the attempted importation of arms," he said.
Rachel Donnelly adds from London: Downing Street adopted a wait-and-see stance after the release of the statement.
"What we would say is, as the Secretary of State has said throughout, is that she receives advice from security advisers. The Secretary of State will not hesitate to take any action she feels is necessary," a spokesman said.
The Northern Ireland Office adopted the same line insisting the security situation "is kept under constant review and everything must be looked at in the round".