'Decommissioning plan in jeopardy' - SF

Sinn Fein's chief negotiator, Martin McGuinness, has said the British Government's decision to suspend the Northern Assembly for 24 hours has put IRA decommissioning plans in jeopardy.

Mr McGuinness reiterated his party's belief that the brief suspension was illegal and a clear breach of the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

He accused the British Government of bowing to the unionist veto and of rewarding David Trimble for his intransigence.

The Mid-Ulster MLA said the move is also likely to anger the IRA, who could withdraw from talks with General John de Chastelain's decommissioning body.

"The unionist rejection of General de Chastelain's determination and the suspension of the institutions may have caused a serious situation in that regard," Mr McGuinness said.

"I think that it may have jeopardised the very important development of earlier this week. General de Chastelain reported very great progress."