The Northern Ireland Secretary has confirmed she will review the status of the Loyalist Volunteer Force ceasefire over the next few weeks in light of a fresh assessment by security chiefs.
During Northern Ireland question time in the Commons yesterday, Mr David Trimble, the Ulster Unionist leader, asked Dr Mo Mowlam if she had received an up-to-date assessment, as he pressed her to treat all parties in the peace process in an "even-handed manner."
He said: "I am particularly referring to the ceasefire by the Loyalist Volunteer Force which has held for several months now, and appears to be just as genuine as any other paramilitary ceasefire."
A change in the status of the LVF ceasefire could entitle its prisoners to the continuing prisoner release programme initiated under the terms of the Belfast Agreement.
Yesterday, Dr Mowlam told MPs: "I have said that I will keep this situation under constant review. I have received a recent report from the security forces. I am reviewing that and I have said I will make a judgment in the following weeks as to whether I think the situation needs to be reviewed."
Dr Mowlam asserted this was "a difficult issue" but she told Mr Trimble: "I can assure you I am not dragging my feet."
Earlier, Dr Mowlam was challenged by the shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Andrew Mackay, to "accept that all reasonable people would expect there to be no further release of terrorist prisoners early until there is substantial and verifiable decommissioning of all illegally-held weapons".
To the approval of Labour MPs, Dr Mowlam testily replied: "I appreciate your party's support for the Good Friday Agreement. I look forward to this support extending to the contents of it."