THE DUP and Ulster Unionists are to seek further meetings with Theresa Villiers after her Westminster statement failed to provide the necessary assurances on tackling paramilitarism that both parties were hoping for.
The absence of any firm commitment to crack down on the IRA in the wake of last month's murder of Kevin McGuigan has scotched plans for round-table talks to resume today.
While Ms Villiers' words fell well short of unionist expectations she did indicate that "serious consideration" would be given to establishing a new body to monitor paramilitary groups.
She also said the British government would "actively consider" new ways of tackling organised crime in the north
The secretary of state's remarks were greeted with a 'wait and see' approach from the DUP and UUP but Sinn Féin described the situation as "farcical" and said talks should begin immediately, without preconditions.
It had been hoped that a fresh round of negotiations involving Stormont's five biggest parties and the two governments would get underway today, however, it appears only bilateral meetings involving Ms Villiers will go ahead.
The devolved institutions have been facing an increasingly uncertain future since the chief constable linked members of the IRA to the McGuigan murder.
The UUP has pulled its sole minister from the executive, while four DUP ministers have resigned with Peter Robinson stepping aside.
Addressing MPs in Westminster, Ms Villiers outlined the potential of establishing a mechanism such as the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), which previously assessed the status of paramilitary groups.
She insisted no-one wanted to wind back the clock and return to direct rule.
The secretary of state said the British government would continue to engage with the five parties over the coming days in the hope they enticed back into talks.
In the immediate aftermath of Ms Villiers speech, Mr Robinson indicated that the DUP would not yet commit to the negotiations.
He tweeted: "Heard SoS's holding statement & commitment 'in the coming days' to respond to concerns. This delays start of talks. We await her response."
Acting first minister Arlene Foster described the secretary of state's remarks "disappointing" but said "elements" would be considered.
"Unfortunately, the delay in being able to deal with these matters is delaying the start of substantive talks and we hope to get into those talks as quickly as possible when the secretary of state moves forward," she said.
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said his party would hold further bilateral discussions with Ms Villiers today.
"The words uttered in the Commons don't really move us forward very much," he said.
"But it is a process and we are keen to see a resolution."
Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy criticised the two unionist parties.
"If people are not going to be prepared to go into those talks the only other option is an election, so this needs to be called very, very quickly," he said.
"This is a farcical situation that is becoming worse by the day."
SDLP MLA Alex Attwood warned the British government that there should be "no unilateral action by London over the heads of the parties".
"The SDLP will again be meeting the two governments tomorrow and we will again be saying – hold the line on the Good Friday Agreement in the face of DUP demands and hold all to account on the rule of law in the face of Sinn Féin denials," he said.
Alliance leader David Ford welcomed the British government's consideration of establishing a new paramilitary watchdog. However, he criticised the DUP for delaying the talks.
