A series of meetings between Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble and grassroots members of the party were dismissed as "a publicity stunt" by his critics today.
As party officers considered a bid by hardliners to convene their 900-member ruling council next month to discuss disciplinary action against three rebel MPs, Mr Trimble embarked on a round of meetings across Northern Ireland.
The former Northern Ireland First Minister was in North Down today and was also preparing to meet UUP members in South Belfast and Strangford to discuss the current political situation.
But a party officer, Ms Arlene Foster, said many members of the party had not been invited to attend the province-wide meetings.
"I have to say I am surprised that a lot of people in my own area of Fermanagh and South Tyrone do not seem to be aware or have been invited to a meeting in their area," the UUP honorary secretary said.
"If you're talking about consulting the grassroots of the party, there seems to be little point in listening to those who already agree with you," she said.
Last week party officers put on hold a decision on whether the ruling council of the UUP could debate disciplinary measures against the party president, the Rev Martin Smyth; Lagan Valley MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson; and South Antrim MP Mr David Burnside.
PA