Ulster Unionist PArty leader, Mr David Trimble, has demanded the expulsion from the British Labour Party of an MP who said IRA members should be honoured for their "armed struggle".
The British Labour Party was distancing itself from John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington in west London, after he praised the "bravery" of the IRA at a commemorationfor the hunger striker Bobby Sands in London.
The left-wing MP told the event: "It's about time we started honouring those people involved in the armed struggle.
"It was the bombs and bullets and sacrifice made by the likes of Bobby Sands that brought Britain to the negotiating table.
"The peace we have now is due to the action of the IRA."
He later told the Sun: "The deaths of innocent civilians in IRA attacks is a real tragedy, but it was as a result of British occupation in Ireland.
"Because of the bravery of the IRA and people like Bobby Sands we now have a peace process."
Conservative Northern Ireland spokesman Quentin Davies, Democratic Unionist MP Mr Nigel Dodds and Ulster Unionist MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson all protested against the comments.
Mr Trimble said they were worse than anything the suspended Labour MP George Galloway had said about Iraq.
"Mr McDonnell's remarks about the IRA, apart from being completely wrong, are crass, insensitive and an insult to the thousands of British people, police andservicemen who have been murdered, maimed or bereaved by the actions of these terrorists," the Upper Bann MP said.
"To label terrorists as brave and to lay blame for the murders, bombs and beatings of Irish republicans at the Government's door is a disgusting accusation. Mr McDonnell's statement is much worse than any comments made by George Galloway.
"He should be expelled from the Labour Party immediately."The Labour Party has refused to comment on whether Mr McDonnell would be disciplined for his remarks.
However, a spokesman said the opinions expressed by Mr McDonnell did not reflect the views of the party.
"The Labour Party unreservedly condemns all atrocities perpetrated by the IRA and other paramilitaries," he said.
The spokesman added: "Progress over the last five years since the Good Friday Agreement has been enormous, life has measurably improved for people in NorthernIreland.
"Although the postponement of the election was enormously disappointing, even in the last six months progress has been made on all sides.
"The IRA statements, and the clarifications offered by Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, represented progress by the republican movement.
"However, the Government does not feel that the IRA has yet made clear thatit is prepared to cease all paramilitary activity fully and permanently.
"Of course this Government condemns any and all paramilitary activity, fromwhatever source, either now or in the past."
Mr McDonnell is chairman of the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs and member ofthe all-party Irish In Britain group in Parliament. He voted against the war inIraq.
He was unavailable for comment last night.
Mr McDonnell's constituency covers Heathrow Airport, which the IRA targetedwith a series of mortar bomb attacks in March 1994.
As well as defying Prime Minister Tony Blair in the Commons over the Iraq war,the MP has voted against the Government on the firefighters' strike and on plansfor foundation hospitals.
The married father of three became an MP in the Labour landslide of 1997.
Mr McDonnell lists "generally fomenting the overthrow of capitalism" amonghis interests in Who's Who.
PA