The Northern Assembly committee set up to deal with the contentious issue of flags will probably be unable to produce a majority report as it is equally divided between unionists and non-unionists.
Speaking after the inaugural meeting of the ad-hoc committee on flags, the chairman, Mr Fraser Agnew, said he did not think MLAs "are under any illusions about the ability of this committee to reach agreement".
The committee consists of nine unionists, seven nationalists and two non-aligned MLAs. The Northern Ireland Unionist Party's seat remains vacant, denying unionists their inbuilt majority on the committee. The two non-aligned MLAs are the Alliance's Mr David Ford and Ms Jane Morrice of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition.
Mr Agnew, a member of the Ulster Unionist Assembly Party, said after the inaugural meeting that the issue of flags had not been raised as members concentrated on procedural business.
With the NIUP not taking its seat, there is now an even split between unionists and non-unionists on the committee and the issue of whether the chairman will be given a casting vote will have to be decided.
DUP Assembly member Mr Ian Paisley jnr, said his party would be seeking a casting vote for the chairman and criticised the NIUP for not taking up its seat.
Mr Wilson defended his party's stance, saying "the flying of the flag is not negotiable". He said he would vote on any report made by the committee in the Assembly but would have nothing to do with the committee. "I am not prepared to play a part in this charade," he said.
It is understood the committee must have a report on the issue before the House on October 13th.