Ulster Unionist Rev Martin Smyth, today claimed the unionist community is not being listened to in its rejection of the Belfast Agreement.
Rev Smyth, who faces disciplinary action in his party along with fellow MPs Mr Jeffrey Donaldson and Mr David Burnside, rounded on fellow unionists who insisted there was no alternative to the Agreement.
"Rather than acknowledging and addressing the fact the majority of unionists are unhappy with the political arrangements as currently envisaged under the Agreement, the issue is just talked about and met with rhetoric such as there is 'no alternative'," the UUP president said.
"When confronted with proposals to seek a new and improved Agreement there is also the cry: 'who are you going to negotiate with?'
"That implies that if nationalists are happy then we cannot even explore a better deal. The dissatisfaction of unionists is just tough.
"It is particularly appalling when this comes from the mouths of fellow unionists whose aim should be to further the wishes of the entire unionist population."
But his UUP colleague Mr Michael McGimpsey insisted that the only way to avoid a long period of direct rule was to make the existing Agreement work.
"The Agreement is the last chance for unionists to make Northern Ireland work. It contains all of the ingredients to ensure a stable, peaceful, confident society and union within the Kingdom for perpetuity.
"There are some within the broad church that is unionism who wallow in misery, perpetuating the lie that we are on a one way track to a united Ireland, that the union is lost.
"They need a reality check. The fabricated world that they have created is one that a majority of unionists don't live in, let alone recognise," Mr McGimpsey said.
Last month UUP officers decided to proceed with disciplinary action against Rev Smyth, Mr Donaldson and Mr Burnside for resigning the party whip at Westminster in their dispute with party leader Mr David Trimble.
The rebel MPs said they were protesting at the UUP's failure to completely reject British and Irish Government plans for the peace process.
Hardline unionists were angered by London and Dublin's proposal to enable on-the-run IRA members to return to Northern Ireland without being jailed and a role for British, Irish and US Government nominees on a body monitoring the implementation of the Agreement.
Stormont sources say a number of names have been considered for the body but its line-up is unlikely to be finalised until next month.
PA