Opposition is growing to the proposal for a `paramilitary ceasefire monitor¿ to monitor the peace in the North. Sinn Féin and the SDLP have voiced scepticism over the proposal which is backed by Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble.
Sinn Féin has accused Trimble of trying to oust Sinn Féin while the SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, has called instead for the publication of a regular index of all paramilitary violence.
In a hard-hitting attack on the Northern Ireland First Minister ahead of his meeting with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly claimed the UUP leader wanted to strip Martin McGuinness and Bairbre de Brun of their ministries.
Echoing IRA opposition to the idea of the so-called `paramilitary ceasefire monitor', the North Belfast MLA claimed it was a demand which was outside the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
"He appears to want someone else to do John Reid's job," Mr Kelly observed, claiming the Government appeared only to be moving towards the idea because of Mr Trimble's internal party difficulties.
"All David Trimble's utterances appear to be aimed at driving Sinn Féin out of its ministries.
"David Trimble's policy appears to be wanting to put Sinn Féin out of government in the run-up to the Assembly election. He wants an exit plan based on a DUP ticket."
Mr Kelly said today Sinn Féin was not opposed to the idea of independent monitors to observe events in sectarian flashpoint areas of Belfast.
However there was "no need" for a ceasefire monitor.
In an interview published today in the republican An Phoblacht newspaper, an IRA spokesman rejected the auditor proposal, which is being considered by the Government to stave off a crisis in the peace process.
First Minister David Trimble, who is facing a crucial meeting of his Ulster Unionist Party's ruling council on September 21, has been promoting the idea of a ceasefire auditor in an attempt to restore Unionist confidence in the peace process.
Mr Trimble is expected to push for Government support for the ceasefire auditor proposal at his Downing Street meeting with the Prime Minister today.
The meeting is one of a series today in London and Belfast involving US and British Government ministers, the Northern Ireland parties and security chiefs.
US President George W Bush's special advisor on Northern Ireland, Richard Haass, flew to Belfast today for lunchtime talks with the new Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Hugh Orde.
The SDLP leader Mark Durkan has also voiced opposition to the appointing of a so-called `independent ceasefire auditor'.
Speaking after a meeting with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, Mr Durkan said the governments should instead publish a regular index of all paramilitary violence.
"There is a lot of paramilitary activity taking place from organisations that are not even on ceasefire. Does an independent ceasefire auditor not take any interest in that scale and nature of activity?" he asked.
Mr Durkan attacked unionists for only being interested in violence from republicans.
"Their whole burden of interest is purely in the IRA ceasefire. They don't seem to be as concerned about the ongoing activity of other paramilitaries.
"I would hope they are not expecting an independent auditor of ceasefires to be there purely to reflect and pursue unionist concerns about violence or preparations for violence in the part of the IRA," he added.
PA