Northern Ireland's outgoing First Minister Rev Ian Paisley today provocatively asserted that Sinn Féin were no longer "true republicans" because they had accepted Britain's right to govern in Northern Ireland.
First Minister for Northern Ireland and DUP Leader Ian Paisley outside Stormont Castle, Belfast.
In an interview with BBC1's Andrew Marr show, Mr Paisley (81) who will retire as First Minister in May, said he had achieved his aim and "smashed" Sinn Féin because they were now involved in the political process.
"I did smash them, because I took away their main plank. Their main plank was that the would not recognise the British Government. Now they are in part of the British Government."
He added: "They can't be true republicans when they now accept the right of Britain to govern this country and to take part in that government."
He also dismissed suggestions he had been forced out by an internal Democratic Unionist Party coup. He said the reason he stepped down was because it was time for a "new generation" to shape the country's future.
"There's a new thinking in Ulster today, not only that there is a new generation. There are people now coming out of their teens, they didn't know the troubles.
"They were never there - that's the sort of country they want to live in. They should be given the opportunity to help to mould that country and how they feel it should be run."
There has been speculation that Mr Paisley was forced to quit after coming under pressure from his party over his "Chuckle Brothers" relationship with Sinn Féin's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and the resignation of Ian Paisley Jnr.
The Rev Ian Paisley
But Mr Paisley said: "There's always people in every party who, for reasons best known to themselves, will take different attitudes.
"But that's politics and I think people know that I wouldn't budge very easily if I didn't want to."
On his relationship with Mr McGuiness, Mr Paisley said despite their good working relationship the pair had never shaken hands as to do so would be a "farce".
Mr Paisley, who will remain as the MP and Assembly member for North Antrim, described himself as a "sinner saved by the grace of God".
He continued: "I have my faults, which are many, which I lament. "I want to do the best for my country and I want to say that I believed that when I helped to get a settlement of the Northern Ireland situation - and I was only a helper, I don't deserve all the praise."
PA