A senior member of the Ulster Unionist Party has warned Mr David Trimble not to allow the party to be rushed into any decision on the British government's policing reforms.
Honorary secretary Ms Arlene Foster claimed the UUP should withhold nominations to the North's 19-member Policing Board until its concerns about the reform plan were addressed.
With Mr Trimble due to hold crucial meetings with the party officers tomorrow and the UUP executive on Saturday, Ms Foster said: "I do not think there is any need for us to be rushing into any hasty decision about going on to the board.
"The SDLP held up the process for months until they secured 95 changes to the implementation plan and now they are prepared to go on to the board, we are being told we are supposed to move.
"What I am saying is: let's take a leaf out of the SDLP book. Our community has a number of concerns. Let's take the time available to have those addressed," she said.
On the issue of flags and emblems, she said it was "unacceptable" that the 19-member Policing Board would be asked to decide.
She also expressed concern about the involvement of ex-paramilitary prisoners on the local District Policing Partnership Boards, plans to scale down the Full-time Reserve and plans for the part-time Reserve.
The DUP has urged the UUP to join them in boycotting the board until the police reform package is made more acceptable to their community.
PA