Politicians condemn bomb

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid said the bomb was "a barbaric attack"

LONDON, England -- The massive car bomb that injured seven people in London was condemned by politicians on both sides of the Irish Sea.

In Dublin, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said he "unreservedly condemned" the attack.

"These acts will not deter both governments, the pro-agreement parties and the overwhelming majority of people who seek peace on this island," he said in a statement.

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid said the blast achieved no purpose other than to remind people of what they were trying to escape from.

"Far from deflecting us, last night's barbaric attack should strengthen our resolve to reach agreement," he told reporters.

"No one will understand if we allow the solution that is within our grasp to slip away."

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair was informed of the blast while on his official visit to Mexico.

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His spokesman said: "He believes violence of any kind is both wrong and pointless.

"His sympathy is with the injured but he believes that the way forward in Northern Ireland can only be through dialogue and that is why the government has put forward its proposals this week and hopes people will consider them in a calm and considered way."

Andrew Mackay, Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, urged the government not to offer "further concessions" on security because paramilitaries had not kept to their side of the peace deal.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone urged Londoners to be "extra vigilant" in the wake of the bomb.

"I was appalled to learn of the terrorist attack in Ealing last night," he said.

"My first thoughts are with those who were injured in the attack. The fact that the terrorists gave the police misinformation clearly shows their total disregard for members of the public.

"This was intended to cause maximum disruption and injury. It was a miracle that no one was killed and I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery.

"I would urge Londoners to be extra vigilant."

Clive Soley, the Labour MP for Ealing, said the car bomb blast was a reminder that the Northern Ireland peace process had to be made to work.

"It sends out a very clear message to everyone to make sure this peace process works," he told the BBC.

"They aren't going to achieve their ends, whether in Northern Ireland by shooting people or by trying to bomb London.

"It's out of date, it's stupid, it's wrong ... at the end of the day it can't achieve anything.

"All it can do ... it might push those people who can deliver a settlement in Northern Ireland a little bit harder in trying to find that settlement."