The DUP ministers who boycotted the North-South Ministerial Council meeting claimed last night that the RUC had refused to accompany them to the sites of republican attacks along the Border, and that they were refused transport in a British army helicopter.
The Minister of Regional Development, Mr Peter Robinson, and the Minister of Social Development, Mr Nigel Dodds, embarked on a tour of south Armagh yesterday rather than attending the meeting in Armagh city.
They claimed they were refused an RUC escort and that a British army helicopter due to ferry them from Bessbrook to Forkhill had been withdrawn.
Mr Robinson said the reason given for the helicopter's withdrawal was that it was not a clear day, but he said it was "a very clear day" and there were other British army helicopters in use in the area.
A British army spokesman confirmed a decision had been taken to refuse to fly Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds.
He said the British army was in the North to support the RUC, and the DUP ministers' government responsibilities did not lie in the security area.
Mr Robinson said the fact that police were not entering south Armagh showed the lack of security in the area.
"The RUC, who will accompany me anywhere else in Northern Ireland, are not allowed to go into that area and are not accompanying me."
The DUP ministers met victims of IRA violence during their visit and visited Forkhill security base. They were driven around the area by members of the group Families Acting for Innocent Relatives.
Mr Robinson said: "I don't think there is any unwillingness on the part of the ordinary policeman or the ordinary soldier to provide protection. The decision, in my view, came from much higher up".
He claimed the British government wished to prevent himself and Mr Dodds from visiting the area.
An RUC spokesman said when it was discovered the ministers were not travelling by helicopter "there was insufficient time to make alternative arrangements".