Northern Ireland party leaders paid prime minister Tony Blair glowing tribute yesterday.
First Minister the Rev Ian Paisley, however, chided Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams over comments about the prospects of a united Ireland.
The DUP leader said that Mr Blair devoted more time to the North than his predecessors in modern times. As prime minister he visited Northern Ireland 37 times.
"There were many issues on which we did not see eye to eye and indeed he kept me out of Downing Street for several years. Also unionists do not forget his failure to live up to promises in the early years. They believe he was too willing to offer concessions to republicans, which may have delayed the progress that has been achieved recently," said Dr Paisley.
"There is no doubt however that the prime minister's concerted efforts helped in ultimately securing devolution in Northern Ireland," he added.
Mr Adams said Mr Blair made a "significant and crucial contribution" to the peace process. "Sinn Féin wants the next British prime minister to be the last with any jurisdiction in Ireland and we will work hard to ensure that this is achieved in the time ahead," he added.
Dr Paisley in a subsequent statement responded. "Gerry Adams will not see a united Ireland in his lifetime and the DUP remain steadfast on this vital fact. His scaremongering is not welcome nor is the fantasy that our British prime minister will not have an integral role to play in Northern Ireland for many years to come," he said.
