The question of Sinn Fein's possible expulsion from the Northern Ireland Executive if the IRA fails to begin decommissioning within weeks has been reopened by Mr Seamus Mallon.
The deputy leader of the SDLP stopped short of formally advocating such a course during a series of interviews yesterday. However, he insisted that "the onus" was on the British and Irish governments to determine Sinn Fein's political fate if they deemed republicans in breach of their obligations under the terms of the Belfast Agreement.
Mr Mallon repeatedly pointed out the power of the Northern Ireland Secretary to put an exclusion motion before the Stormont Assembly for a vote. He drew specific attention to Section 30 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, establishing failure to co-operate fully with the International Commission on Decommissioning as among the grounds for the possible dismissal of a political party or individual ministers.
Mr Mallon's intervention caused shock and surprise in Dublin and London. It came just hours after Mr David Trimble's resignation as First Minister took effect and as British and Irish officials prepared to kick-start an increasingly desperate effort to avert the suspension of the Assembly and other institutions of the agreement.
In consequence of Mr Trimble's resignation, Mr Mallon is no longer Deputy First Minister. He will continue to exercise the functions of his office in concert with Sir Reg Empey, who has been nominated to exercise those of Mr Trimble during the six weeks stipulated for fresh elections to the two posts.
Mr Mallon and Sir Reg are expected to meet while British and Irish officials prepare for talks later this week to be led by the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, are expected in Belfast next week for an intensive negotiation which both appear determined will reach a conclusion in late July rather than mid-August.
During a BBC interview, Mr Mallon was asked if there were any circumstances in which the SDLP would press for the removal of Sinn Fein's ministers, Mr Martin McGuinness and Ms Bairbre de Brun. Mr Mallon replied that people were missing the point, which was that the Secretary of State had the power to place an exclusion motion before the Assembly.
"Given the nature of the Good Friday agreement, that wouldn't happen unless it had the support of the Irish Government, nor would it be realistic unless it had the support of the political parties," he said. "The onus actually rests with the two governments. That onus has to be realised."
On BBC Radio 4, Mr Mallon said the two governments "should spell out the price" of failure to have the issue resolved. However, he refused to elaborate or to say specifically this signalled a willingness by the SDLP to go it alone in the Executive with the UUP and without Sinn Fein. He told The Irish Times "nothing should be presumed" and "no implication" should be placed on his remarks nor, he said, was he "advocating" anything. A Sinn Fein spokesman said if Mr Mallon was "hinting" the SDLP may support an Assembly motion to exclude republicans from the Executive, then he should have the courage to come out and say that.