REPORTS of a split from the leadership of the Workers Party in Northern Ireland are "very hyped up", according to the party's president, Mr Tom French.
Mr French said there was "a small group" of dissident members in Belfast but the party was "not worried about it at all".
He was responding to recent reports that a section of the membership had split from the leadership in a row over poor electoral results for the forum, party finances and lack of activity generally.
It is understood that party members in north Belfast had sought to have a commission set up to look at the party's operations in Northern Ireland.
Mr French said he was aware that some individuals had wanted a Northern Ireland commission. He said it would have been "quite easy" to put forward a resolution to that effect at the party's ard fheis last October, but no one did.
Mr French said the decision to expel the party's Newry branch last January had "absolutely nothing" to do with reports of dissension in the party. Each member was given the opportunity to reapply to join the party but none had to date, he added.
Asked about reports of disquiet among North Belfast members about the party's lack of internal democracy, Mr French said he was "absolutely happy" with it.
Mr French said people outside the party had "tried to manipulate personal grievances rather than party policy differences".
Asked about threats and intimidation of dissident members, Mr French said he was unaware of any. He was also "absolutely" happy with the party's finances.