The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, has been urged to apologise to the Taoiseach over his cancelled visit to Scotland.
Mr Ahern called off a planned trip to Lanarkshire last Sunday after Labour MP Mr Frank Roy raised concerns that it might inflame sectarian passions around an Old Firm match between Celtic and Rangers the same day.
Mr Roy resigned as parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to Scottish Secretary Ms Helen Liddell as a row blew up over his actions but former Scottish National Party leader Mr Alex Salmond today said Roy's resignation was not enough to resolve the issue.
He said: "The issue should be brought to closure with an apology to the Taoiseach. That would be the honourable way to close the issue in terms of Scotland's reputation and our relationship with Bertie Ahern.
"The Taoiseach is due an apology, particularly from the people who conspired to bring about this national embarrassment.
"Since we know that at least a PPS was involved and we suspect the involvement of two cabinet ministers in Mr Blair's government, the right thing would be for the prime minister to issue an apology and bring the issue to a close."
Earlier this week, both the SNP and the Conservatives demanded to know whether Mr Roy was acting with the knowledge of Ms Liddell, her predecessor and current Northern Secretary Dr John Reid or Scottish External Affairs Minister Mr Jack McConnell.
SNP leader Mr John Swinney claimed there was widespread suspicion that Mr Roy did not act alone.
PA