Unionists who participate in round table talks at Stormont are helping put the IRA back into devolved government, Democratic Unionist deputy leader Mr Peter Robinson claimed tonight.
Responding to claims by Ulster Unionist negotiator Sir Reg Empey that the DUP's absence from yesterday's round table talks masked the party's real policy of engaging and sharing power with Sinn Féin, the East Belfast MP accused his rival of facilitating republicans.
"The criticism of the DUP for not attending the Agreement revival talks was a little ironic given that his party leader (David Trimble) found an award ceremony somewhat more important than what was going on at Stormont," Mr Robinson quipped on the eve of his party's annual conference.
"Mr Empey has clearly been irked by the fact that when the music stopped he was left carrying the talks papers - talks papers which will turn out to be a ticking bomb for unionists.
"Mr Empey and all Ulster Unionists have been warned about the lunacy of their involvement in the current process and how it will inevitably lead to even greater concessions to the IRA.
"They are repeating the mistakes of Weston Park but when the concessions are made they will simply wring their hands and seek to pass the blame."
In a statement issued after yesterday's round table meeting, Sir Reg accused the DUP of "running away" from representing their voters at the talks.
The East Belfast MLA noted DUP members had in recent weeks engaged Sinn Féin directly in television debates in Northern Ireland.
The Ulster Unionist negotiator responded: "Perhaps if Stormont has been transformed into a giant television studio, the DUP might have been prepared yesterday to sit opposite Sinn Féin/IRA."
PA