Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister has suggested demilitarisation has been subject to "secret deals between the IRA and the British government".
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Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Mr Seamus Mallon
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Speaking on RTÉ radio this morning, Mr Seamus Mallon said this had created a negotiating weakness because it is not known what was promised and therefore he is not sure Sinn Féin are truthful when they claim the British government did not deliver.
Responding to an IRA statement last night saying that decommissioning would not be achieved by unionist ultimatums or on British government terms, Mr Mallon said holding weapons was illegal and an implied threat to the sovereignty of Ireland.
"They themselves are in contravention of what the Irish people want. The Irish people wanted it north and south, they voted for it in the referenda on the agreement. He added no party should use decommissioning as a bargaining tool with the other parties.
"It is contrary to law, civil and criminal law north and south of this island, it is counter to the Irish constitution . . . it is contrary to the objectives of the Good Friday Agreement, and it is actually a challenge to the sovereignty of the Irish people," Mr Mallon said.
Northern Ireland Education Minister Mr Martin McGuinness appeared to support Mr Mallon’s claim of a deal between the IRA and the British government.
On RTÉ radio this morning, he said: "I certainly know there were very detailed discussions an negotiations in May 2000 at Hillsbrough Castle and the Sinn Féin leadership were involved.
"We all know as result of those discussions agreements were made between the leadership of the IRA and the British Prime Minister Tony Blair in which the British government would face up to the context which the IRA outlined in their statement which came as a response to the statement issued by the Taoiseach and the British prime minister."
Mr McGuinness said Mr Blair committed himself to establish the new beginning to policing and to embrace wholehearted demilitarisation in areas such as South Armagh.
But the British government had failed miserably to provide the context essential to see the IRA fulfil decommissioning commitments, said Mr McGuinness.
He also said he would like to see David Trimble continue as leader of the UUP.