THE Ulster Unionist Party hit back yesterday at its detractors in the unionist fold and claimed that "factually inaccurate" statements by them had misrepresented the UUP's achievements in the multi party peace talks compromise.
The row in the unionist camp is likely to manifest itself in verbal hostilities at the opening session in Belfast today of the 110 member Forum.
A UUP statement yesterday deplored the attacks made on it by Mr Robert McCartney of the UK Unionists and the Rev Ian Paisley, leader of the DUP.
The statement pointed out that a sub-committee had been set up which would meet on Monday at Stormont to receive submissions from all the parties on the agenda and procedural guidelines for the talks, including the role of the independent chairman, Senator George Mitchell.
Senator Mitchell had given a categorical assurance that the committee would start with a blank sheet, the UUP said. It condemned "the blatant attempt by Dick Spring to cover up the concessions that the British and Irish governments were forced to make on Tuesday evening by the UUP".
Mr McCartney, however, continued his onslaught on the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, in a full page article in the unionism inclined News Letter yesterday.
He wrote "A glorious opportunity to give the pro-union people heart by a successful demonstration of pro-union solidarity on a central issue has been thrown away in the pathetic pursuit of party interest and personal prestige."
He described Mr Trimble as having been "putty in the hands of experienced professional negotiators" and said he had made a fatal error of judgment in failing to stand shoulder to shoulder with the other unionist parties.
The dispute will arise again in the selection of a chairman by the Forum delegates. Mr John Gorman, a UUP member and a Catholic, was nominated by the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, as interim chairman.
Mr Gorman has indicated that he would accept nomination as a candidate. The DUP is likely to put forward its own nominee, but would be easily outvoted by UUP delegates unless strongly supported by other parties.
Mr Trimble announced last night that he has postponed a planned US trip because of critical negotiations next week.
Most of the nine participating parties have prepared position papers setting out their views on the guidelines and agenda and the powers Mr Mitchell should have as chairman. These were presented to Mr Mitchell yesterday and will now be copied and exchanged between the parties.
Each party has been asked to submit a list of three names from which two negotiators will be chosen to go to a meeting with Mr Mitchell on Monday to discuss the various positions.
By lunchtime on Wednesday Mr Mitchell and the two other independent chairmen will report back to a plenary session on the outcome of the consultations. The plenary session will then be asked to agree on procedural guidelines, the rest of the agenda and other outstanding points.