THE decision by Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams to call off his book-plugging trip to the House of Commons today will be greeted with relief by Labour leaders.

But, if they are mindful of the mood of the voting public, they will go ahead and discipline the man who invited him, Left-wing MP Jeremy Corbyn, and the gang of Labour MPs who support him.

How Mr Corbyn could bring himself to invite Gerry Adams to the House of Commons - an establishment he never once visited as an Ulster MP - is beyond the comprehension of most fair-minded people.

He even refused to withdraw the invitation in the light of the latest find of IRA bomb-making equipment and weapons in London, even though it was obvious that a massive IRA attack had been thwarted. Labour's chief whip Donald Dewar said Mr Corbyn was acting on his own behalf and must take responsibility for doing so. If he persisted it would be a matter for disciplinary action.

As far as the public are concerned he has persisted. Only the decision by Gerry Adams has prevented the visit to the House.

Tony Blair must come down hard on Mr Corbyn and his supporters. Their support for a man like Mr Adams, who has not condemned the IRA's latest mainland campaign, is at odds with the majority of people who will be going to the polling booths in the near future.

They will expect to see him take firm action.

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