THE leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Mr David Trimble, said yesterday it was "a matter of fact" that the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, was the most detested politician in Northern Ireland.
Mr Trimble also said the idea for Dayton type talks on Northern Ireland was "a gimmick brought forward to try and save the face of Mr Spring, who's been making a fool of himself over the course of the last few days."
The UUP leader was asked on the BBC Tv programme, Newsnight, if he shared the view of his deputy, Mr John Taylor, that Mr Spring was: "the most detested politician in: Northern Ireland. "Well, it's a matter of fact," Mr Trimble replied.
The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, speaking on the same programme, said he thought the statement was untrue "and it shows a degree of lack of contact with reality on the part of Mr Trimble."
What the UUP leader should be doing was seeking ways of reaching agreement with the nationalist population of Northern Ireland, Mr Bruton said.