Dr Mo Mowlam is under increasing pressure to announce her decision on the status of the Provisional IRA ceasefire after the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, said he had "no doubt" that the paramilitary group had murdered Mr Charles Bennett.
The Northern Secretary promised to make her announcement this week but no statement has been forthcoming so far. Unionist impatience increased after Sir Ronnie's statement yesterday but Dr Mowlam remained silent.
A Northern Ireland Office spokesman said: "The Secretary of State will make her decision known when she has all the relative information." A statement is expected today or tomorrow. Security sources have blamed the Provisional IRA for Mr Bennett's murder since he was found bound, gagged and shot in the head in west Belfast last month. However, Sir Ronnie's remark last night was the RUC's first public acknowledgement that the IRA was responsible.
On BBC Northern Ireland's Straight Up programme, Sir Ronnie said: "I have no doubt the IRA was involved in the murder of Charles Bennett. The Secretary of State has no doubt and I have no doubt what organisation was involved.
"I have made it clear time and time again that these organisations which purport to be on ceasefire have been engaged in some of the most heinous acts of violence." However, he said it was not his job to say whether the ceasefire had been breached, "That is a matter for the Secretary of State". Sir Ronnie briefed Dr Mowlam on the ceasefire last week.
Sinn Fein's chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness, dismissed the Chief Constable's remarks and said he believed the IRA "cessation" was still intact. "What you have to understand is that Sinn Fein's position is that we accept absolutely that the IRA cessation is intact. They have said so in the course of recent weeks and I have no reason to disbelieve that. "
Mr Michael McGimpsey, and Ulster Unionist Assembly member, said: "The UUP believes Mr Bennett's murder and the Florida arms seizure constitute clear breaches of the IRA ceasefire. Sinn Fein's inclusion in the process is dependent on the IRA ceasefire, so there must be political consequences for Sinn Fein. We will wait to hear Mo Mowlam's assessment of the situation and what sanctions she will impose."
Mr Nigel Dodds, of the DUP, said Dr Mowlam had to take action against Sinn Fein and halt prisoner releases. "What the Chief Constable said is only the public confirmation of what everybody else has known for weeks. Mo Mowlam's delay in taking action is totally unjustifiable. She is making a mockery of democracy."
Dr Philip McGarry, president of the Alliance Party, welcomed Sir Ronnie's statement which he said followed "weeks of dodging and weaving round the issue" by both governments who were "playing games with the truth". It was regrettable that London and Dublin appeared to be "turning a blind eye" to the Mitchell principles of democracy and non-violence.
The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, believes the Taoiseach should not accept that Dr Mowlam alone decides if the ceasefire had been broken. London and Dublin should make a joint statement on the issue, he says writing in today's Irish Times. The definition of what constituted a ceasefire breach could not be left to the paramilitaries. "This is why I believe the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister should now make a joint statement on this matter setting democratic standards in plain language."
Mr Sean Farren, an SDLP Assembly member, said meting out punishment would not advance the situation. He called for a clear statement from all the political parties, including those with paramilitary links, that they adhered to the Mitchell principles.
Mr Andrew Mackay, the British Shadow Northern Secretary, said the IRA ceasefire was clearly over and the release of prisoners should be halted. Mr Vincent McKenna, of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Bureau, said that if Dr Mowlam wasn't prepared to take action, she should resign.