Sinn Fein has "committed a sin" through the IRA’s alleged involvement in the £26.5 million robbery in Belfast, Ian Paisley said yesterday.

Speaking after a meeting with Tony Blair, the DUP leader said: "I think there have to be penalties. I resent the fact that at the moment it is held over the heads of people that are trying to carry out democratic politics.

"They are going to suffer rather than the people who actually committed the sin."

Ulster secretary Paul Murphy said the bank raid had "deeply damaged" efforts to restore devolved government.