There were strong indications last night that, in an effort to provide political assistance to Mr David Trimble, the British government may decide either to defer the renaming of the Northern police force or find a way of retaining the RUC title, at least on ceremonial occasions.
Amid growing concern over the likely result of the Ulster Unionist Council meeting in Belfast this weekend, it has also been reported that the Police Bill (Northern Ireland), to be published today, will contain no proposals for a new title.
While the Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, has reiterated his commitment to changing the name, the choice of a new name would instead be a reserved decision, to be taken in due course by the Northern Secretary, according to a UTV report.
This inevitably led to speculation that a proposal to call the force "The Police Service of Northern Ireland (incorporating the Royal Ulster Constabulary)", previously rejected by nationalists, was being reconsidered.
There was swift reaction from the SDLP, which said it would be "disappointed and unhappy" if the speculations were proved correct: the renaming process should proceed right away.
But it appeared last night as if the British government had decided to risk nationalist and republican anger in an effort to rescue Mr Trimble.
Weekend reports suggested the UUP leader had encountered doubts over his strategy and timing even among his closest supporters. Even in nationalist circles it was believed Mr Trimble would be lucky to emerge with a conditional and qualified victory at the UUC if he were to propose rejoining the Northern Executive.
Writing in today's Irish Times, Mr Mandelson says the police service will no longer be known as the RUC when the first recruits selected under the new arrangements begin their training in autumn 2001.
But he denies that this is an insult and tantamount to disbandment of the force. He writes, significantly: "It is important to dispel both these thoughts and I am giving consideration to how this might be done."
Mr Mandelson is believed to be exploring ways of recognising the origins of the new service while at the same time ensuring that its operational or working title would be the "Police Service of Northern Ireland".
In a rapidly-changing situation there were further reports that London might decide to give the Northern Secretary the power to use the RUC title on ceremonial occasions.
There were reports that republicans had bluntly rejected a "half-hearted" approach to softening their line on the police name.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Police Bill will contain a proposal to establish an RUC George Cross Foundation, funded by the British government, to "mark the sacrifices and honour the achievements of the RUC".
Dublin was believed to be aware that the renaming of the police force would be fudged as a device to shore up Mr Trimble.