It was the prime minister that assured the people of Northern Ireland that tests would be applied to republicans and all paramilitaries

David Trimble UUP leader

He said the prime minister must now consider if the IRA ceasefire was over and decide what actions should follow.

Mr Trimble said the government had a responsibility to take action.

"There is very strong suspicion that republicans were responsible for Castlereagh and in Colombia there is evidence and that evidence was given today in Washington," said the Northern Ireland First Minister.

Mr Trimble said it was time the republican movement was brought to task by the government for failing to leave terrorism behind.

"This process has operated on the basis of there being a transition and that the republican movement was going to commit itself exclusively to peaceful methods," he said.

'Rigorous'

"Both Castlereagh and Colombia quite clearly point in the opposite direction and that is why we called on Mr Adams and Mr McGuinnesss to get a control of their process.

"That is why we have been here speaking to the prime minister and the secretary of state that they have a responsibility on this matter."

The Ulster Unionist leader added that he had reminded Mr Blair of pledges made to the Northern Ireland people.

"It was the prime minister that assured the people of Northern Ireland that tests would be applied to republicans and all paramilitaries and that those tests would become more rigorous over time."

Mr Trimble said he had been assured by the prime minister that the government accepted that the situation was serious and that it was considering what it should say and do.

However, Dr Reid said the government would not be drawn on the issues surrounding Colombia and Castlereagh as legal investigations were ongoing.

He added that in the view of the Police Service of Northern Ireland the IRA were not about to engage in a renewed campaign.