Sinn Féin's support for policing in the North was questioned today after two councillors in Co Tyrone shunned places on a District Policing Partnership (DPP).
Unionist MEP Jim Allister warned Sinn Féin's leadership needed to act after the Strabane District councillors' move. The party was entitled to nominate five members to the DPP, but only three took posts.
Sinn Féin's leadership and most members have endorsed policing with around 55 councillors taking up places on the DPP scrutiny bodies.
However, Mr Allister said: "It doesn't square with full support for police and the rule of law. Actions do speak louder than words so these actions point to a deficit in terms of their supposed commitment to the rule of law.
"If there is a problem you would have thought the leadership would sort it out and obviously they have not been able to."
On Monday it emerged Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Gerry McHugh was leaving the party after reportedly becoming disillusioned with its "undemocratic" nature. The move was also linked to personal differences with the party.
He will still sit in the Northern Ireland Assembly as an independent.
Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty said: "Obviously there is disappointment that our party grouping on Strabane Council did not reach agreement on its full complement of nominees to the DPP at this time.
"Sinn Féin is fully committed to engaging with all of the policing structures."
DUP Policing Board member Jeffrey Donaldson said: "There is an element within Sinn Féin who clearly have not been able to come to terms with what is happening, but they must not be allowed to hold the whole republican movement back."