Gordon Brown's promise of "a new kind of politics" is mired in controversy following the revelation that he offered former Liberal Democrat leader Lord (Paddy) Ashdown the post of Northern Ireland Secretary.
While the Lib Dem leadership officially acquitted the incoming British prime minister of personal responsibility for "dirty tricks", party sources accused Mr Brown of "underhand politics" and an attempted "stitch-up" in approaching Lord Ashdown behind the back of party leader Sir Menzies Campbell.
Mr Brown will appoint his new cabinet shortly after his appointment as prime minister at a formal audience with Queen Elizabeth next Wednesday. In advance of assuming power, Mr Brown has been having private discussions with other party leaders, including Sir Menzies and Northern Ireland First Minister the Rev Ian Paisley.
As reported in yesterday's Irish Times, Dr Paisley has raised the possibility that "further down the line" Mr Brown might appoint a minister or ministers - possibly in cabinet, but more likely below that at cabinet office level - with responsibility for all "the devolved regions" of the UK.
It is understood the question of cabinet-level representation has also been discussed with Scottish and Welsh first ministers Alex Salmond and Rhodri Morgan.
The issue has also revealed an apparent split - and certainly a lack of consultation and discussion - in the higher echelons of the DUP, with Stormont Enterprise Minister and MP Nigel Dodds suggesting Mr Brown should actually reinstate the role of a full-time Northern Ireland Secretary in cabinet.
Yesterday's controversy, however, was generated by Lord Ashdown's confirmation that he had been offered the Northern Ireland post - currently held by Labour deputy leadership contender Peter Hain - despite Sir Menzies' prior public assertion that no Liberal Democrat would be joining the Brown government.
Sir Menzies issued his edict on Wednesday after a newspaper report that his discussions with Mr Brown had been centred on the possibility that at least two senior Liberal Democrats would be invited to serve under the new prime minister.
Labour minister James Purnell denied that the Brown overture was driven by a realisation that Labour could not win the next general election. While many pundits currently believe a "hung parliament" is a likely outcome, Mr Purnell told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme Mr Brown's move was in fact "a sign of real confidence" and evidence that the incoming prime minister had been "observing how politics [in Britain] has been changing".
However, Lord Ashdown gave a smart rebuke to Mr Brown, telling the Today programme: "I told him that I could not conceivably consider such a position unless my leader [Sir Menzies] told me he thought it was a good idea and even if he did, I didn't."
Lord Ashdown continued: "You do not build partnership government by seeking to add the Liberal Democrats as a bungalow annexe to a Labour government."
Another Lib Dem peer considered for a possible ministry, Lord Lester, said talk of jobs was "putting the cart before the horse" of determining where policy co-operation might be possible between the party and Mr Brown's new ministers.
Observing the "spin" yesterday, Stormont junior minister Mr Ian Paisley jnr suggested Mr Brown had been engaged in "clever politics" seeking to insulate himself ahead of the next election. He said the DUP would have been "relaxed" about the appointment of Lord Ashdown.
Meanwhile, ministers gave departing prime minister Tony Blair a standing ovation at an emotional final meeting of his cabinet yesterday.