Sinn Fein will not be forced to publicly back policing in Northern Ireland as a condition of being allowed to join a restored devolved administration, Peter Hain insisted tonight.
The British secretary of state said it would be "absolutely essential" for parties in any new power-sharing executive to respect the rule of law.
But no extra hurdles would be placed in the path towards reviving the peace process, he told MPs.
Mr Hain — giving evidence to the Northern Ireland select committee — also said he had no plans to revive moves to allow "on the run" terrorists to escape a jail sentence. And he blamed "spin from some elements in Dublin" for a misinterpretation of plans for a "joint stewardship" if agreement cannot be reached between Ulster's parties.
Mr Hain, who told the committee he was optimistic that agreement could be reached on restoring the devolved institutions by November's final deadline, was repeatedly pressed on policing.
"If we are to have devolved government, working with real credibility and real effectiveness, then clearly signing up to the rule of law and supporting the police is an absolute essential.
"But I do not want any late preconditions suddenly assembled so that they effectively become possible hurdles to the restoration of the institutions," he said.