More bombings feared after rebuff to IRA

A four-point peace plan has been carried to John Major by John Hume, the SDLP leader, from Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein leader.

But last night ministerial sources at Westminster said the conditions for a resumption of the IRA ceasefire were unacceptable, and it could herald a renewed bombing campaign in Britain.

"We would not have a country or a party behind us if we accepted their terms. It's completely out of the question," said one minister.

The attempts to bring about a breakthrough in the peace talks will be on the agenda today at a meeting between Irish and British ministers in Belfast. Colin Brown

t The former Irish prime minster Albert Reynolds faced a pounds 1m legal costs bill, despite winning a libel action against the Sunday Times.

A High Court jury found in his favour but awarded him zero damages, and he had already refused a pounds 5,005 payment into court by the paper