The DUP is holding a private strategy meeting today in a bid to allay concerns about the party's involvement in efforts to revive power sharing at Stormont.
Northern Ireland Assembly members, MPs, peers and the party's MEP Jim Allister are attending the day-long meeting in Templepatrick, Co Antrim.
Mr Allister has been critical of the St Andrews plan for power sharing and has warned colleagues it requires significant changes before it can be deemed acceptable.
Concerns have also been expressed by ministers in Mr Paisley's Free Presbyterian Church and by some DUP councillors, including veteran Jack McKee in Larne. DUP nervousness was also apparent after last week's aborted meeting of the Assembly.
Mr Paisley was expected to indicate at last week's Assembly debate that he would seek the position of First Minister next March provided Sinn Fein fulfilled all its commitments under the St Andrews plan and his party remained the largest at Stormont after a fresh election.
However there was confusion when the North Antrim MP did not appear to meet Mr Hain's requirement.
After the Assembly was evacuated during an attempted bomb attack by loyalist Michael Stone, a group of 12 MLAs including four MPs - Nigel Dodds, Gregory Campbell, the Rev William McCrea and David Simpson - took the unprecedented step of issuing their own statement outside of the normal party structures, insisting the DUP had not taken part in any designation process.
This was followed swiftly by a statement from Mr Paisley, clearly stating he would put his name forward as First Minister next March if the St Andrews plan was fully implemented and Sinn Féin signed up to supporting the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
In recent days the DUP leader has been keen to dismiss any suggestions of a rift within his party.
PA