The North's Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, was strongly criticised by the Sinn Fein assembly member for Mid-Ulster, Mr Francie Molloy, at a republican commemoration in Derry yesterday.
"Seamus Mallon's comments on Friday about excluding Sinn Fein from the executive were outrageous and pandering to the most negative aspects of unionism," he said.
If Mr Mallon had nothing to say, he should say nothing at this sensitive time. "Nationalists have greeted his comments with disbelief. They are at a loss as to their purpose. The only people who will take comfort from his remarks are those unionists who have blocked for over a year the implementation of the agreement."
Sinn Fein's electorate was entitled to the same rights as anyone else, said Mr Molloy.