Mr David Trimble has insisted that the question of a general amnesty for paramilitary fugitives or "On The Runs" (OTRs) "simply should not arise". And he has predicted that the Blair government would fail to win parliamentary backing for such a move.
In a speech to parliamentary journalists at Westminster yesterday, the Ulster Unionist leader and Northern Ireland First Minister flatly contradicted NI Secretary of State Dr John Reid's view that the British government is presented with "an anomaly" in respect of Maze escapers and others who remain "On The Run" and who would otherwise have benefited under the terms of the early prisoner release scheme established under the Belfast Agreement.
Mr Trimble said he was not convinced there was an anomaly, at least in respect of people who might have gone on the run to avoid possible prosecution, who had not been convicted and therefore could not be released "on licence" under the early release scheme.
The UUP leader appeared to move slightly toward the government, acknowledging that prison escapers, for example, could return and hand themselves into police custody before seeking bail and applying for early release from their sentence.
However, he stopped short of advocating a wider judicial process which might see other OTRs - against whom evidence might be forthcoming and who could in future be subject to prosecution - submitting themselves to due process of law before seeking the benefits of the early release system.
There had been signals that the British government might be inclining toward such an approach as part of an attempt to resolve the issue and "draw a line" under 30 years of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. However, Mr Trimble's narrow focus suggests he remains on a collision course with Whitehall ministers.
And Mr Trimble strongly opposed any attempt to resolve the issue by use of the Royal Prerogative or Pardon, saying he "cannot think of anything more revolting", particularly during this, Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee Year.