The forces of law and order in the North have been given a "powerful weapon" in tackling organised crime with new laws, the British government said today.
Speaking shortly after cautioning unionists about the consequences if the Northern Executive collapses, Dr Reid announced the Proceeds of Crime Bill had become law after it was given Royal Assent.
"We now have a powerful new weapon in the fight against organised crime - one eagerly awaited by those who have seen the success of the Criminal Assets Bureau in Dublin," he said.
An Assets Recovery Agency is to be established aimed at taking away property acquired through criminal activity.
Dr Reid also warned today that it was not in the interests of the people in the North if the Northern Executive collapses
Just hours after defeating a legal challenge from hardline unionists to the election of Mr Trimble and SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan last November as the Assembly's First Minister and his deputy, Dr Reid insisted the current system of government was right.
"This is not an easy process. It is complex and involves compromises and at times it is messy as the Prime Minister said," he said.
"That is never going to be simple but that project is so huge in terms of the history of Northern Ireland and the lives of ordinary people that it is worth showing courage and enduring.
Dr Reid was responding to calls from hardline Ulster Unionists for the party to convene a meeting of its 860-member ruling council, possibly in September, to vote on plans to force Sinn Fein out of the power-sharing government.
PA