Mandelson denies holding power to lift SF ban

The Northern Secretary has said that he did not have the power to force the Stormont First Minister to lift his ban on Sinn Féin Ministers attending meetings of the North/South Ministerial Council. Speaking in Lisburn County Antrim this morning, Peter Mandelson said that the peace process was a voluntary one and needed everyone involved to work together.

The North's First Minister, David Trimble, has said he had no option but to impose the ban. He said that the Good Friday Agreement risked collapse otherwise. The ban was discussed at Downing Street by the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and the Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams. Mr Adams said afterwards that if the ban were not lifted soon, he would discuss possible legal action with his party colleagues next week.

Mr Adams warned that the peace process would be in "a serial crisis" by January if the current problems over David Trimble's veto are not sorted out. The Sinn Féin president was speaking at Downing Street after a meeting with Tony Blair this morning. Mr Adams said that he was very concerned that "the situation could become untenable in a short period of time" because other All-Ireland meetings were coming up. He said that David Trimble had not just disenfranchised the electorate, he was also seeking changes in the independent decommissioning body and a moratorium on policing. He said that December was "a short month" and that if this was not sorted out before January the process would be "in a serial crisis."

Asked about the American presidential election he said "we'll all miss Bill Clinton" but added that the outcome of the election was up to the people of the USA. Mr Adams was due to leave London for the United States later today.

Meanwhile, the North's First Minister has called on dissidents within his party to stop undermining his leadership by forcing divisions within the party. Speaking at a constituency meeting in Bangor last night Mr Trimble called on Jeffrey Donaldson and his supporters to accept the decision of the Ulster Unionist Council to place sanctions on Sinn Féin, in return for progress on decommissioning. He said that those who continue to oppose party policy on the matter, would have to consider their future in the party.