There was confrontation and recrimination in front of the cameras yesterday as the leader of the UK Unionist Party, Mr Robert McCartney, was publicly challenged by a member of his Assembly team in the hall of Parliament Buildings at Stormont.
"If you want to have a friend in politics, buy yourself a dog," said Mr McCartney, as he spoke to the media for the first time since a party dispute left him at odds with his UKUP Assembly team. He accused his party Assembly members of "incompetence".
However, a UKUP Assembly member, Mr Cedric Wilson, approached the party leader as he spoke to the media and challenged Mr McCartney to withdraw personal comments allegedly made at a party meeting that are believed to have contributed to the current state of disarray. Mr McCartney was ushered away by supporters.
"I think you can see that Mr McCartney has publicly refused to withdraw an allegation he made against his four Assembly members that any member of the press or the public would not be prepared to accept against their integrity. I think that demonstrates to you adequately where the fault lies," said Mr Wilson.
"I thought I would take the public opportunity to ask Mr McCartney, because this was an issue that had to be resolved. Mr McCartney has to decide what he thinks is right. I believe that a man in his position should be prepared to be honourable and remove an unsubstantiated allegation," he added.
In a surprise statement issued on Monday, the four Assembly members withdrew support from their leader. Mr McCartney claimed his colleagues had broken an understanding that in the event of meaningful cross-Border bodies being created, or Sinn Fein gaining ministerial positions, all five members would resign.