It wasn't entirely that clear why Peter Robinson wanted the assembly adjourned while talks aimed at addressing Stormont's latest crisis took place. Some have speculated that it was a gesture to show that it was no longer "business as usual" while others felt it was designed to remind everybody on the hill, including the Ulster Unionists, what the consequences of pulling the plug on devolution would be.
The decision of Sinn Féin, the SDLP and UUP members of the assembly's business committee to block the extension of the summer recess bloodied the DUP's nose but it was only a symbolic setback. The DUP strategy for dealing with the fall-out from the Kevin McGuigan murder, whatever it may be, has yet to be derailed. The first minister knows it is not the assembly but the British government that has the capability to exclude Sinn Féin, though he must also understand that this is not a move David Cameron is likely to make unless the prime minister has exhausted all other options.
Wrong-footed by Mike Nesbitt leading his party out of the executive, the first minister is looking to exert as much pressure as he can on Sinn Féin but without bringing an immediate end to devolution. He's huffing and puffing but won't blow the house down – not just yet anyway. Emerging from Number l0 last night Mr Robinson looked mildly frustrated that the prime minister had not promised decisive action against the DUP's partners in government.
Meanwhile, Martin McGuinness's assertion that this controversy is now about an electoral battle in unionism is increasingly ringing true. The animosity between the DUP and UUP – allies at the polls in May – is also growing by the day, as is the political process's vulnerability as each bids to outmanoeuvre the other.
But with the focus on spats within unionism it's easy to lose sight of what the issue at the heart of this matter really is – political unionism's distrust of republicans. Last night the deputy first minister underlined his view that those responsible for the murder of Kevin McGuigan were "dissidents" and "low life criminals", yet he appears to have some way to go before his words are seen by unionists as sincere.
He did, however, welcome Peter Robinson's talks proposal. That said, the last two rounds of talks – Haass and Stormont House – have promised a great deal but delivered very little, which just leaves the public wondering how even more dialogue can possibly lead to a lasting resolution?
Full coverage of latest Stormont crisis
[ IRA monitoring 'could resolve Stormont crisis'Opens in new window ]
[ NIO staying silent on Stormont optionsOpens in new window ]
[ Fionnuala O Connor: Contradictions abound as Nesbitt wrong-foots DUPOpens in new window ]
[ Tom Kelly: The DUP needs the cover of the UUP more than it realisedOpens in new window ]
[ Irish foreign minister slams 'car crash' politics as Stormont crisis deepensOpens in new window ]
[ Patrick Murphy: We're sure to strike gold at political gymnasticsOpens in new window ]
[ UUP to leave executive: Political reactionOpens in new window ]
[ Nesbitt defends loyalist paramilitary engagementOpens in new window ]
[ OPINION: Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike NesbittOpens in new window ]
[ Newton Emerson: Everyone but the UUP is downplaying Sinn Féin's problemsOpens in new window ]
[ Tories hit out at "pathetic role" of UUP in "joke" executiveOpens in new window ]
[ Mallon calls for an end to governments' 'constructive ambiguity'Opens in new window ]
[ IRA evidence strong enough to force Sinn Fein out, says DUPOpens in new window ]
[ UUP leader Mike Nesbitt's Stormont exit strategy meets oppositionOpens in new window ]
[ The DUP will be digging escape tunnels alreadyOpens in new window ]
[ Want to know what the IRA is now? It's a trust fundOpens in new window ]
[ Fallout from murders will continue long after Southern electionsOpens in new window ]
[ Chief constable: Sinn Féin committed to peaceOpens in new window ]
[ Kennedy's replacement to come from DUPOpens in new window ]
[ UUP seize initiative with little left to loseOpens in new window ]
[ Garda chief: force has never denied IRA still existsOpens in new window ]
[ Real peace never part of the plan in unionismOpens in new window ]
[ Police remove evidence four months after Davison murderOpens in new window ]
[ McDowell: IRA allowed to continue as 'withering husk'Opens in new window ]
[ Nesbitt on Strictly? Alternative 'significant announcement' from UUPOpens in new window ]