The Ulster Unionist Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has refused to endorse the withdrawal of support for the peace process announced by two colleagues and insisted the party would continue to press on IRA arms.
The deep divisions in the UUP over the Belfast Agreement resurfaced following Thursday's announcement by MPs Mr Jeffrey Donaldson and Mr David Burnside that current arrangements endangered the union.
"We can walk away from this but the next generation has to come back and clear up the mess that we leave them and I don't think that's very responsible behaviour," said Sir Reg, who has carried out the duties of First Minister since Mr David Trimble's resignation. However, Mr Donaldson yesterday defended his statement on the two governments' proposals, and said he had received messages of support from across the North.
"It is clear the proposals will include provisions for paramilitaries to have seats on the district policing boards and an amnesty for IRA terrorists on the run," Mr Donaldson said. "No self-respecting unionist could buy into such a package."
Mr Peter Robinson, deputy leader of the DUP, said the announcement illustrated the growing realisation within the UUP that the Belfast Agreement was destroying the union.
Meanwhile, Mr Seamus Mallon, the North's former Deputy First Minister, has warned that never-ending negotiations have debilitated the political process in the North.
He said he would reserve judgment on the package from the two governments until its official release. "I'm not going to deal with rumours, speculation or leaks. I'm going to deal with the package and we haven't got the package," he said.
He stressed "interminable negotiations" had allowed uncertainty and suspicion to creep into the process, with a focus on who gained or lost in talks.
Mr Gerry Kelly, of Sinn Fein, said his party was also adopting a "wait-and-see" approach until the package was unveiled.
"We have consistently sought a strategic plan to achieve the implementation of the agreement. The two governments said after Weston Park that they would deliver this."