The leader of the Ulster Unionists has branded the decision by the Democratic Unionist Party not to stand in several constituencies in the upcoming Westminster election a "fine cheek".
Mr David Trimble made the comments in the wake of an announcement by the DUP deputy leader that the party would not mount a challenge to three sitting anti-Agreement MPs.
Mr Trimble said the DUP decision was "cynical" and called on them not to run candidates against any Ulster Unionist MP. "The DUP should stop splitting the unionist vote and they should not put up candidates against any of the Ulster Unionist seats. I think for them to do so shows a fine cheek on their part," he said.
Speaking at the conference of the DUP's youth wing, the Young Democrats, on Saturday Mr Peter Robinson said the party had resolved to challenge the UUP in every seat except where doing so could lead to a pro-agreement candidate taking the seat from an anti-agreement candidate.
Mr Robinson said the party was doing this to ensure unionists in every constituency had the opportunity to vote for an anti-agreement candidate.
Meanwhile, a DUP minister has confirmed newspaper reports that DUP ministers in the Stormont Executive are willing to meet their Southern counterparts.
Mr Gregory Campbell said he had told the Assembly on more than one occasion "that I would be happy to meet and discuss the development of transport arrangements between Northern Ireland, other parts of the UK and the Republic".
He denied there was any shift in his party's policy.