Trimble urges Assembly ban on Sinn Féin

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has urged British Prime Minister Tony Blair to ban Sinn Féin from any future Stormont Assembly.

He was speaking after Chief Constable in Northern Ireland Hugh Orde blamed the IRA for the £26.5m (€37.7m) robbery at Belfast's Northern Bank before Christmas.

“Gerry Adams has betrayed the Prime Minister personally,” he insisted. “Failing (banning Sinn Féin from any future Stormont Assembly), he should close down the Northern Ireland Assembly forthwith.”

Democratic Unionist Policing Board representative Ian Paisley Jr claimed there was no way back for republicans.

“The process is over for Sinn Féin,” he declared. “Bringing Sinn Féin in from the cold has been an abysmal failure, this crime of the century proves that. Now we move on without them.”

The North Antrim Assemblyman insisted Mr Orde had carried out a public service.

“I believe this means Sinn Féin/IRA are not interested in peace, not interested in the democratic process but have big interest in crime.”