A spokesman for the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, has said controversial comments he made about the Republic have been taken out of context.
His remarks, that if Catholicism and anti-Britishness were removed, the Republic would not have a reason to exist, have been condemned as sectarian by nationalist politicians.
The comments were printed in the Chicago Sun-Times, which is standing by the accuracy of the quotes. A spokesman for Mr Trimble, said: "The interviewer was accurate but selective in how it was reported. It was completely wrenched out of context.
"The comments were made in relation to the question: 'Why does the Irish Republic exist and what are the reasons for partition?'"
The SDLP leader, Mr Mark Durkan, described Mr Trimble's remarks as self-demeaning.
"David Trimble will try to present this as pointed analysis but most people will see these comments as sectarian ramblings. Trying to denigrate political ideals and the religion of others is only demeaning himself by demonstrating his own prejudice."
The president of Sinn Féin, Mr Gerry Adams, described the comments as gratuitous and unnecessary. "Maybe these are unscripted remarks, but it says more about Mr Trimble and where unionism is than it does about anything else."
Mr Adams recalled previous similar comments the UUP leader had made. "Maybe it is his own feeling about all of this or maybe it is part of the electoral competition with Dr Paisley. He would be better, rather than travelling to Chicago and making insulting remarks, staying here and trying to sort out this with the rest of us."
DUP Assembly member, Mr Sammy Wilson, said Mr Trimble's remarks did not tally with his "willingness to embrace the Irish Republic and, indeed advance its role in the running of Northern Ireland." Mr Wilson added: "If this state is so anti-British and anti-Protestant, how can David Trimble possibly justify the Belfast Agreement, which has given the Irish Republic an unprecedented role in deciding what happens in Northern Ireland?
"Not only has Trimble entered into this agreement, but he has vigorously defended it."
In March, Mr Trimble also caused controversy in a speech to the Ulster Unionist Council in which he was reported as describing the Republic as a "pathetic, mono-ethnic and mono-cultural state".
However, he told the Chicago-Sun Times he had not actually uttered the word "pathetic" when delivering the speech because he believed it was "a wee bit over the top". However, the script had already been distributed to the press.