The deputy leader of the DUP, Mr Peter Robinson, has accused Dr Mo Mowlam of "monstrous incompetence" and of "capitulating at every turn to Gerry Adams and his henchmen". He called on the Ulster Unionists to immediately break off contact with the Northern Secretary.
Condemning her decision that the Provisional IRA cease-fire had not broken down, he said: "Such blatant partisanship proves the Secretary of State is not worthy of the office she holds and is incapable of fulfilling her responsibilities in a fair and competent manner."
Mr Robinson noted that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, had claimed the ceasefire was holding while the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, had publicly stated that the Provisionals had murdered Mr Charles Bennett.
"Mowlam has opted to follow Dublin's diktats rather than the Chief Constable's advice. The process is a farce and a negation of democracy. It is a fruit of Mr Trimble's Belfast Agreement. He and his party are responsible for the damage to the democratic process that is being caused by this charade," he said.
Mr Nigel Dodds, the DUP secretary, said Dr Mowlam had sent "a strong message to the men of violence that they can literally get away with murder".
"This decision also tells all democrats and law abiding citizens of Northern Ireland that Mo Mowlam is more interested in appeasing the IRA and accommodating Sinn Fein than upholding even the most basic principles of democracy and non-violence," he added.
Mr Ian Paisley jnr of the DUP said: "Mo Mowlam has lost all credibility in the eyes of the unionist people by delivering this king of sops to the Provisional IRA. Her statement was a hand-washing exercise."