EARLY talks between Sinn Fein and an incoming Labour government have been ruled out following Saturday's IRA disruption of the Grand National.
In a reversal of Dr Mo Mowlam's previously declared position Mr Jack Straw, the shadow Home Secretary, has said republicans have put themselves "beyond the pale".
With the 150th National rescheduled for 5p.m. today - amid the tightest security Aintree racecourse will ever have seen - Mr Straw effectively ruled out Sinn Fein participation when the inter party talks resume on June 3rd.
He said: "Now patently as a result of the IRA's further terrorist activities in this country in the past two weeks they have put themselves beyond the pale as far as any resumption of talks with them in the short tide after the election is concerned.
A Merseyside police source confirmed that today's race would be cancelled if there was another bomb scare.
Dr Mowlam, who hopes to be Northern Ireland Secretary in a Labour government, said nine days ago there was a "high possibility" of Sinn Fein joining the resumed talks if the IRA immediately restored its ceasefire and honoured it by "word and deed" in the interim.
But the Labour leadership toughened its position as the Prime Minister, Mr John Major, said the sabotage of the National ad put back the date when Sinn Fein might be invited to join negotiations.
It is understood Dr Mowlam discussed the situation with Mr Straw before his interview on GMTV, and is in full accord with the language he used.
Mr Straw stressed that Dr Mowlam had merely restated the long standing position of both the Labour Party and the current British Government. If the IRA called off its violence and made clear by word and deed that it was on a path for a peaceful solution there could, in appropriate circumstances and after discussion with the other parties, be talks with Sinn Fein.
But he insisted: "It was never a formal offer."
A Labour source last night said that Mr Straw's reference to consultation with the other parties should not be considered a new precondition to Sinn Fein's entry. But it seems clear there is now no chance of Mr Tony Blair setting any fixed date or timetable for Sinn Fein participation before the restoration of the ceasefire.
Earlier, Mr Blair said the IRA had a decision to make. And Mr Straw echoed his leader, declaring: "If the IRA think a Labour government would be softer on terrorism than anyone else, they're wrong.
The IRA has not claimed responsibility for the bomb scare - which was condemned by British government and opposition politicians. But Liverpool's Assistant Chief Constable, Mr Paul Stephenson, said the two warnings received an hour before the race was due to start had used an authenticated IRA codeword. No precise location had been stated.
No devices were found but police carried out three controlled explosions late on Saturday night.