Substantial divisions have appeared in the Ulster Unionist Party over what sanctions should be taken against Sinn Fein if the British government decides the Provisional IRA has broken its ceasefire.
Several unionists, including the party's deputy leader, Mr John Taylor, yesterday distanced themselves from remarks made by the UUP security spokesman, Mr Ken Maginnis, on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters after he led a UUP delegation to meet the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, Mr Maginnis said Sinn Fein should not be expelled from the talks process even if it was decided the Provisional IRA had breached its ceasefire.
Dr Mowlam is due to deliver her judgment within the week.
Mr Maginnis said Sinn Fein should be allowed to take part in Senator George Mitchell's review of the implementation of the Belfast Agreement. That would put the record of both the party and the Provisional IRA under the spotlight, he added.
However, the deputy leader, Mr Taylor, yesterday said Mr Maginnis had been speaking personally and not for the party leadership.
The UUP leadership would decide its position on Sinn Fein's participation in the political process next week, Mr Taylor said.
He said it was vital that Dr Mowlam clearly defined her understanding of the Provisional IRA ceasefire first. "Only when she has pronounced upon this matter can the leadership of the UUP make a final decision about the role of Sinn Fein in the political process."
A UUP councillor, Mr Jonathon Bell, said he had been inundated with calls from party members and supporters who were angry at Mr Maginnis's remarks. He accused the security spokesman of making a serious error of judgment which was deeply damaging to the party.
"Ulster Unionists will accept nothing less than the complete removal from the democratic process of those who are not exclusively committed to democratic and peaceful means," he said.
An Ulster Unionist Assembly member, Mr Peter Weir, also rejected Mr Maginnis's arguments, and called for Sinn Fein's immediate expulsion from the process. He said Sinn Fein was "an impediment" to political progress in the North. "To suggest that expulsion will merely hand over control to republican hawks ignores the fact that the so-called doves have their claws red with blood."
Other leading party members said Mr Maginnis represented nobody but himself and complained that he had "thrown a lifeline" to the Northern Secretary, who didn't want to take action against Sinn Fein.
"Mo Mowlam was desperately isolated on this issue until Ken Maginnis came to her rescue," one senior UUP figure commented.
The UK Unionist leader, Mr Bob McCartney, said: "Ken Maginnis's pleading for Sinn Fein to remain in the process is incomprehensible and completely out of touch with feeling throughout the pro-Union community."
Mark Brennock, Political Correspondent, adds: The Labour Party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, has welcomed Mr Maginnis's comments.
"Mr Maginnis's remarks are important," Mr Quinn said in a statement yesterday. "The review of the Good Friday agreement must succeed if its potential to deliver lasting peace to Northern Ireland is to be realised.
"And, notwithstanding the difficult decision to be made by the Secretary of State and her advisers on the state of the IRA ceasefire, it is critical that all parties and particularly those whose positions have held up the implementation of the agreement are involved.
"Mr Maginnis's remarks are, I believe, a recognition of that reality."
He said Mr Maginnis's statement that he wanted to "call Sinn Fein's bluff" was a hopeful sign. "At some stage, either side - Sinn Fein or the UUP - will have to put the other's stated commitment to decommissioning within the time frame set out in the agreement and to an inclusive executive respectively to the test."