The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, told Sinn Féin today it would be excluded from talks on a political settlement for Northern Ireland unless the IRA gave up crime.
At their first meeting since the Northern Bank robbery, the British prime minister told Mr Gerry Adams "in the starkest terms" that finding a way ahead in a way that included his party was not possible with continued IRA paramilitary and criminal activity.
"The Prime Minister told Sinn Féin that such activity was incompatible with the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process," said a Downing Street spokeswoman.
"A complete and verifiable end to all such activity by the IRA would be essential if progress towards such an inclusive agreement were to be possible," she added.
No one has been arrested over the £26.5 million sterling Northern Bank raid but PSNI chief Hugh Orde has blamed the IRA. The IRA denies it had any part in the robbery.
The two main Unionist parties say it vindicates their refusal to sit in government with Sinn Féin until the IRA has fully disarmed and disbanded.
"Both sides are agreed that the process is in profound difficulties," Mr Adams said after the meeting, adding there had been "straight talking" about responsibility for the robbery.