Murphy: Warning Sinn Fein

The Northern Ireland secretary has warned Sinn Fein that it faces "penalties" unless the IRA halts all illegal activities.

Paul Murphy's move followed last week's statement by Ulster police chief Hugh Orde that the IRA was implicated in the recent £22 million Northern Bank robbery.

"We have consistently made clear that if a political settlement is to be achieved, any illegal activity has to come to an end," Murphy said.

"This government will not promote a political settlement in which a party inextricably linked to one organisation which has carried out major criminal acts can resume responsibilities again in a devolved administration.

"Nor could it take on the further responsibilities implied by the devolution of justice and policing, while criminal activities of the kind we have just seen, and the capacity to plan and undertake such activity, continues in existence."

Murphy said no one in Ireland had sought a settlement on that basis.

He said that "decisions and responses on this are now needed from Sinn Fein and the IRA".

"Without the required responses from Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA, I cannot see how we shall be able to reinvigorate the political talks that must precede a comprehensive settlement," he added.

"Without those responses, the government and indeed this House, will need to consider how best in the changed circumstances to bring pressure to bear on the republican movement to complete the transition to exclusively peaceful and democratic means, including any penalties that might be applied to Sinn Fein."

Murphy added that there was a "range" of penalties that "will be considered by the government and the Irish government together".

Democratic Unionist Party leader Dr Ian Paisley said his party had been urged to trust Sinn Fein.

"This is a serious day for Northern Ireland, it is a day when the government must cease to deal with politics and deal with crime," he said.

Paisley added that events proved that "the word of the IRA was not to be trusted".