THE Conservatives and Labour united at Westminster last night to call for loyalist restraint in face of the murder of the British soldier at Bessbrook.
The Prime Minister, Mr John Major, said the soldier was "presumably another victim of the murderous efforts of the IRA".
He went on: "My heart goes out to his family. How many more victims must there be before the evil men responsible recognise the utter futility of their terrorism?
"Meanwhile, the total hypocrisy of Sinn Fein's talk of peace is yet again fully exposed.
"Let me make two promises tonight there will be no hiding place for the culprits - none at all. And I will not be deflected from the real search for a lasting settlement and peace in Northern Ireland."
Dr Mo Mowlam, the Shadow Northern Secretary, pleaded with the loyalist paramilitaries "not to plunge the people of Northern Ireland into a downward spiral of violence".
Ministers and security chiefs were anxiously assessing the implications of the murder for the loyalist ceasefire, and its possible implications for the already fragile political process in the North. Just yesterday the parties to the Stormont talks agreed to continue until the date for the British general election was set. But a loyalist paramilitary response to the Bessbrook shooting - thought highly likely by reliable sources in the North - could upset the efforts of the British and Irish governments to ensure a "soft landing" for the talks process, and to maximise the chances of an early resumption after the election.
Sir Patrick Mayhew, the Northern Ireland Secretary, said "Our thoughts are first with the family of this young soldier. He was murdered trying to protect people from criminals of the kind who today robbed him of his own life. Once again we are reminded of the lethal dangers faced with such courage by all in the security forces."
He added: "The IRA are wanton in their indifference to whose lives they wreck. Their crimes will gain them nothing, except longs years in prison and the disgust of decent people everywhere."
Echoing Sir Patrick Dr Mowlam said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the soldier who died tonight. It is a sad, sad day for the efforts to bring peace to Northern Ireland. And I would plead with the loyalist paramilitaries not to plunge the people of Northern Ireland into a downward spiral of violence."
Mr Andrew Hunter, chairman of the Conservative backbench committee on Northern Ireland said: "There was an inevitability about this because the Provisionals have been targeting the security forces for the last three months. It confirms there is no place whatsoever for Sinn Fein at the negotiating table. It confirms all our worst fears. We appear to be back at square one."