Unionist MP demands Sinn Fein expulsion

Northern Ireland’s power-sharing executive could collapse within weeks over allegations the IRA has broken its ceasefire, a senior Ulster Unionist warned tonight.

As the US government indicated the IRA have boosted Colombian rebels’ terror capabilities, David Burnside demanded Downing Street take tough sanctions against Sinn Fein.

The South Antrim MP said: ‘‘Tony Blair should be responding to unionist parties’ demand to remove Sinn Fein from this political process. That means they must be removed from the Executive.

‘‘I don’t think it will run through the summer. I think it will be brought to a head before the end of June.’’

Mr Burnside’s call came after US President Bush’s special adviser to Northern Ireland, Richard Haass, refused to accept republican denials that the IRA has been training FARC guerrillas in Colombia.

Three Irishmen arrested in Bogota last August - Jim Monaghan, Martin McCauley and Niall Connolly - are currently in a Bogota jail charged with teaching the rebel forces bomb-making techniques.

In an interview with BBC News 24’s Hardtalk programme, Mr Haass said: ‘‘There are things that the FARC is now doing, or things that they did not do previously, and I am told by weapons experts, of which I am not, that many of these things bear certain patterns, or hallmarks of IRA operations.

‘‘Yes, there is what you might call a prima facie case or an apparent case that clearly there was training that went on that made a difference.’’

Sinn Fein claimed Mr Haass’ comments were qualified and urged caution given the situation the three men still faced.

‘‘He doesn’t appear to be saying anything new or anything that hasn’t been said by him or others before,’’ a party spokesman said.

‘‘There are three Irishmen imprisoned in Colombia awaiting trial.

‘‘Much has been said and done already to prejudice their trial and people need to be very mindful of adding to the difficulties they have of getting a fair trial.’’

But Mr Burnside insisted ongoing allegations that the IRA was involved in international terrorism, together with claims it stole intelligence files from Special Branch offices in Belfast, left Sinn Fein’s position untenable.

Doubtful that either the London and Washington administrations would act, however, he urged his party to unite with rival Democratic Unionists to oust Sinn Fein from the Stormont government.

‘‘The executive with Sinn Fein cannot survive in these circumstances, but only the unionist parties can precipitate action from the British Government who would let it drift,’’ he added.