Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, last night insisted he was not calling for the removal of the Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, over his handling of the Patten reforms of the RUC.
However, in a fresh broadside, Mr Mallon said he would continue his negotiations with Mr Mandelson because he respected "the integrity of his office".
Mr Mallon had appeared to call for Mr Mandelson's removal in an address to the National Committee on American Foreign Policy in New York on Friday. Stressing that full implementation of Patten was more important than the survival of any individual, Mr Mallon was reported as saying he and Mr David Trimble might go, adding: "Peter, I hope, will."
Asked if this amounted to a call for Mr Mandelson's removal from Stormont, Mr Mallon told The Irish Times: "No, it's nothing of the sort, it's expressing an opinion . . . I was making the point, in relation to us all, that we are dispensable".
Mr Mallon had made that point in relation both to himself, and to Mr Trimble. Pressed as to why he had said he hoped Mr Mandelson would go, Mr Mallon replied: "Well, I think the reality is that he will be going."
Asked how quickly he would like to see that happen, Mr Mallon said: "I'm not going to put it in those terms, I'm not calling for him to go. I'm expressing a personal opinion, but I think you should look at the more fundamental things I said [in the speech] about policing."
In the speech, Mr Mallon was sharply critical of Mr Mandelson, alleging that every time anyone tried to be generous, "he takes all, misrepresents your position, and gives nothing". He expressed confidence that something would happen to improve the position on policing "before Peter does any more damage."
Given these criticisms, Mr Mallon was asked if he would continue his negotiations on the Police Bill with Mr Mandelson or now seek to deal directly with the Prime Minister. He replied: "I've never called for a Secretary of State to go. I am dealing with the Secretary of State, and will continue dealing with the Secretary of State, because I respect the integrity of his office."
The Police (Northern Ireland) Bill goes to the House of Lords on October 9th, two days after the UUP conference. While it is generally assumed the Bill must become law before the end of the present parliamentary session in November, Mr Mallon said he understood that it could, if necessary, be carried into the new session.