Mr John Hume has robustly defended his deputy leader, Mr Seamus Mallon, amid increasing Sinn Fein criticism of Mr Mallon's views on a new Northern Ireland assembly. The SDLP leader yesterday stressed Mr Mallon had full SDLP support.
He was speaking as all-party talks resumed in Belfast yesterday and the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, insisted his position was secure despite the establishment of a new dissident group within the UUP.
Mr Hume's statement came as the argument continued between Mr Mallon and republicans about a new assembly. In the past week Mr Mallon has criticised Sinn Fein's attitude to the Strand One negotiations, which focus on internal arrangements for the North.
He said the party was "absolutely wrong and dishonest" in asserting the new assembly under discussion represented a threatened return to Stormont rule. He also challenged Sinn Fein's objections that an assembly is on the agenda. He has argued that such a body is in accordance with the 1995 Framework Document and the 1993 Hume-Adams agreement.
Yesterday Mr Mallon again urged republicans to "face reality". But Sinn Fein condemned his "sniping" and described his comments as "extremely unhelpful". Mr Martin McGuinness said some in the SDLP resented Sinn Fein's participation in the peace process.
Mr Hume, backing Mr Mallon, said: "I am deeply concerned at statements in recent days by leading Sinn Fein spokespersons about the role and attitude of my friend and colleague, Seamus Mallon.
"Let me make very clear that in our approach to the peace process and the talks, the SDLP has been totally unanimous. Seamus Mallon speaks for our entire party and with my full and unqualified support."
Meanwhile, Mr Trimble yesterday insisted he was fully in control of his party after a report in the Irish News disclosed that a new group has been set up in the UUP to campaign against his handling of the talks. The Committee for Traditional Ulster Unionist Values is demanding the party make no concessions to republicanism.
It is demanding that the party refuse to accept cross-Border bodies and that the leadership not engage in face-to-face negotiations with Sinn Fein. It is led by a Belfast councillor, Mr Nelson McCausland.
Mr Trimble said yesterday attempts to organise such a meeting were the "unnecessary actions of people losing their nerve".
The parties at the talks have been given the UDP's document on Strand Two, which focuses on North-South arrangements, the substance of which was published in yesterday's Irish Times.
The talks continue at Stormont today.