The Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, is under increased pressure after the leadership of the Orange Order failed to endorse the Northern Ireland Agreement.
The order's ruling body, the Grand Orange Lodge, decided at a meeting yesterday that it could not recommend the agreement to the community. It expressed grave concern about sections of the agreement, especially those relating to policing, decommissioning, and prisoners, and called on the British government to clarify certain matters.
The Grand Lodge met as the DUP announced a series of protest demonstrations across the North, and the Ulster Unionist MP, the Rev Martin Smyth, gave a strong indication that he was unlikely to support the agreement.
Only four of the UUP's 10 MPs are known to back the deal. The Ulster Unionist Council will meet on Saturday to decide its stance. It will be vital for Mr Trimble to receive endorsement by a large majority of the 700 delegates.
Mr Trimble's position was made more difficult yesterday by the Grand Lodge's decision.
The 130 members who attended the 5 1/2-hour meeting voted overwhelmingly not to accept the agreement at present. They demanded clarification from the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair.
Sources said the outcome could have been worse for Mr Trimble. They pointed out that it was still possible for the Grand Lodge to accept the agreement after clarification.
Mr Joel Patton of the militant Spirit of Drumcree group said he was "absolutely disgusted" at the postponing of the decision and he accused the Orange Order's hierarchy of "a lack of leadership".
The order's Grand Secretary, Mr John McCrea, said the organisation was genuinely seeking clarification and yesterday's vote should not be interpreted as a "slap in the face" for Mr Trimble. The order's chief executive, Mr George Patton, has said that everyone should study the agreement carefully before passing judgment. "I am not sure how many people have studied the agreement yet," Mr Patton told yesterday's News Letter. "It is a matter for their own conscience. Everyone is going to have to make up their own minds."
The order has more than 60,000 members in the North and its final decision will be crucial for Mr Trimble. Yesterday, the Rev Martin Smyth said he was unlikely to support his party leader in campaigning for a Yes vote. He said he would consult colleagues before making up his mind but expressed reservations about the plan.
Launching the DUP's anti-agreement campaign, the Rev Ian Paisley said that Northern Ireland was facing its gravest crisis and that no true unionist could support the deal.
The Alliance Party launched its campaign in favour of the settlement yesterday, and the Ulster Democratic Party appealed to ordinary unionists not to be swayed by Dr Paisley.
The UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, and the US Secretary of State, Ms Madeleine Albright, rang the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, yesterday to express their support for the deal.