Unionists and nationalists reacted fairly predictably to the decision by the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, to keep Dr Mo Mowlam at her post as Northern Secretary. The SDLP and Sinn Fein welcomed the decision, while the Ulster Unionist Party and the DUP were critical of her performance.
Northern politicians congratulated Mr Paul Murphy, the North's Political Development Minister, on his promotion to Secretary of State for Wales.
Mr Jeffrey Donaldson, the UUP MP for Lagan Valley, said it was clear that in her two-year term in office, Dr Mowlam had "leant more to nationalists than to unionists". However, in terms of the September review negotiations, he believed Mr Blair's decision was academic.
Mr Donaldson said it was Mr Blair and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, who had been spearheading crucial aspects of the negotiations and that "Mo Mowlam has been out of the loop for the past year in terms of the negotiations".
On a personal level he had no difficulty with Dr Mowlam but he had problems with her politics which he believed was more sympathetic to nationalists. "Some unionists believed that a new Northern Secretary might have brought a fresh view at this critical period of negotiations but I don't think it will make a big difference one way or another."
"Oh dear" was the first response of DUP Assembly member Ms Iris Robinson to the news that Dr Mowlam was remaining in Northern Ireland. "She is no friend of unionists. Her whole political focus has been directed to republicans. She is also obviously anti-police and she is quite happy to see the demise of the RUC."
Ms Robinson believed that Dr Mowlam was not moved because she had put her foot down and refused to be "moved sideways" in the cabinet. "It is just a pity she is not going. I would have been quite happy to pack her bags."
Mr Dermot Nesbitt, a pro-agreement UUP Assembly member, agreed with Mr Donaldson that her remaining as Northern Secretary would make little difference to September's review. "My view is that the dynamic for pushing forward these negotiations does not rest with Mo Mowlam," he said.
He congratulated Mr Murphy on his appointment as Welsh Secretary of State.
Mr Mark Durkan of the SDLP said it was a positive development that Dr Mowlam would be remaining, as she had proved herself to be capable and energetic in her Northern Ireland posting.
"It is accepted that she is the best-regarded Secretary of State ever and she has brought great personal skill and real political capabilities to the post."
Mr Durkan stressed that with the review process due to commence fully in September it was appropriate that Dr Mowlam should continue in her present position.
A Sinn Fein spokesman said it was the party's preference that no British minister would be present in the North. However, Dr Mowlam had "possibly been the most positive Secretary of State that has been here", he added.
Commenting on claims by unionists that Dr Mowlam was too favourable to the nationalist tradition, the spokesman said anyone who was not 100 per cent unionist was not acceptable to unionism.
["] She is trying to be fair-minded and even-handed while working within political constraints,["] he added.
The leader of the Alliance Party, Mr Sean Neeson, said he was pleased Dr Mowlam was to remain on as Northern Secretary as this provided continuity in the political process.
However, Mr Neeson said he was "very disappointed" at the departure of Mr Murphy as he had conducted most of the political meetings with the parties over the last two years. "I congratulate Paul Murphy on his promotion but I had hoped he would have stayed on beyond the review."