Leading pro-agreement Ulster Unionist Sir Reg Empey has opened up clear political ground between himself and party leader, Mr David Trimble, by abstaining on a motion that proposed fresh disciplinary action against dissident UUP MPs.
Sir Reg, who is being promoted by some pro-agreement unionists to head a "dream ticket" leadership succession with Mr Jeffrey Donaldson, denies his abstention at the meeting of Ulster Unionist officers is the opening move in a leadership bid.
The 14-member body voted by six to three to back calls from Mr Trimble to discipline dissident MPs: the Rev Martin Smyth, Mr Jeffrey Donaldson and Mr David Burnside. Other party officers were missing or abstained.
Sir Reg had advocated a middle route between ceasing all disciplinary action and the outright approach of Mr Trimble.
Mr Trimble's supporters stressed that Sir Reg did not vote against the principle of taking disciplinary action against the three MPs. However, it was being seen as significant in other circles that Sir Reg abstained on the main motion proposed by the party chairman, Mr James Cooper, on Mr Trimble's behalf.
The officers have instructed the party's chief executive to compile a list of suitable people to serve on a new disciplinary committee. The need for a new committee arose following last Monday's High Court ruling that the suspension of the three MPs pending a disciplinary hearing was invalid.
The dissident MPs resigned the party whip last month after the Ulster Unionist Council backed Mr Trimble's policy of not completely rejecting proposals in the Joint Declaration from the British and Irish governments on the future of the Belfast Agreement.
Mr Trimble will almost certainly be forced back from holiday next month to face another challenge at a special meeting of the UUC.
In a statement party officers said there was an opportunity before their next meeting "to be proactive in trying to resolve the differences between the two factions". Privately, the Trimble camp sees no possibility of this unless the dissident reapply to take the party whip.
Supporters of the dissidents told The Irish Times they would "almost certainly" convene another meeting of the UUC to challenge yesterday's decision to take fresh disciplinary action.
It is understood Sir Reg proposed an amendment to the motion proposed by Mr Cooper, which would have deferred the composition of a new disciplinary committee and allowed for a longer period to attempt a reconciliation.
Neither Mr Trimble nor Sir Reg made any comment yesterday. In an interview due for broadcast today by BBC Radio Ulster, Sir Reg denies leadership moves and insists his tactics are in keeping with his preference for conciliation rather than confrontation with the dissidents.