Last week the Secretary of State sent a paper to Stormont's policing and justice sub-committee setting out a model for selecting a Justice Minister if the Assembly returns later this year.

The minister and a Deputy Justice Minister would take charge of policing issues if they are devolved next year - a key Sinn Fein demand.

In his paper, Mr Hain said he was prepared to "take any necessary steps to ensure that the timescale for devolution was not delayed - including appointing a justice minister if the Assembly couldn't elect one."

Unionists said he was giving himself the option of imposing a minister over their objections - something DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson said would be the "death knell of devolution".

But Sinn Fein said the paper fits their own proposals.

Government sources insisted Mr Hain would only appoint if the Assembly asked him to - something that is not specified in the paper. And the sources said Mr Hain was only making proposals - even though he told MLAs in an accompanying letter that he would legislate on his plan if they can't agree.

At a meeting yesterday, the justice and policing sub-committee decided to invite Mr Hain to meet them.

"In agreeing to invite the Secretary of State to attend the committee, the committee is absolutely right," said SDLP policing spokesman Alex Attwood.

"Given the political fall out from the Secretary of State's paper, he should be given the opportunity to explain his proposals, with whom these proposals were negotiated, and for the Secretary of State to confirm which party or parties gave him their backing.

"The only party that finds the proposals interesting is Sinn Fein, even though they have risks and problems."

The committee hope to see Mr Hain next week.

A spokesman for the NIO said Mr Hain had already agreed in principle that he will meet with any Assembly committees that want to see him, although he had not received the sub-committee's invitation and might need to juggle his diary.