The Democratic Unionist Party leader Dr Ian Paisley has accused the Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble of taking part in talks which will allow "hardened terrorists" a free return to the North.
Mr Paisley said the outcome of the multi-party talks at Hillsborough Castle would be the granting of an amnesty to "on-the-run" paramilitary prisoners.
"Trimble and the Ulster Unionist Party, having promised to enter the talks on the basis of dealing only with terrorist violence, are now sustaining a process that is going to grant the return of some of the most hardened terrorists to Northern Ireland," he added.
Mr Paisley, who has refused to take part in discussions aimed at restoring devolved government to the North, said the UUP leader was negotiating away the right of unionists to deliver their verdict on the Agreement in the forthcoming Assembly elections.
He was confident that his party would overtake the Ulster Unionists in the May elections.
"The verdict of the unionist community will ultimately catch up with this particular on-the-run," he added.
PA