The Progressive Unionist Party may quit the Northern Ireland Assembly over the status of the IRA ceasefire.
As First Minister David Trimble prepared to meet Northern Secretary Dr John Reid amid concerns the IRA's ceasefire, PUP leader Mr David Ervine warned he could take his party out of the devolved institutions.
Claiming the continued allegations surrounding the republican movement had narrowed his choices, Mr Ervine said: "One of our options to make this process honest is to withdraw from it".
Mr Ervine, whose party is linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) paramilitary grouping, said he and fellow PUP Assembly member Mr Billy Hutchinson could be forced to walk away from Stormont.
The East Belfast MLA is demanding talks with Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams to outline his doubts over republicans commitment to the peace process.
"I have defended the right of Sinn Féin to be in the Assembly in the past, but no more," he said. "If we can justify their participation and we are opposed to exclusion what do you do? Maybe there comes a time when you don't be there yourself".
Although Mr Ervine stressed nothing has been decided yet by his party, he insisted such a move would not impact on the UVF's ceasefire.
PA