This weekend's SDLP conference in Belfast would show "a measure of frustration" among delegates at the slow pace of the Stormont talks, the party chairman has said. Mr Jonathan Stephenson added: "The breakthroughs in September and early October have not so far led to substantive negotiation on the issues and I think everybody would be feeling frustrated about that in the SDLP.
"We want to get down to talking about the issues, moving on to discussing the kind of structures that we need to reflect the various positions that we hold."
He expected "a measure of concern" about the commitment of the two governments - particularly the British government - to help in "forcing the pace" to move the talks forward.
The party has been criticised by a member of the Ulster Unionists' talks team, Mr Peter Weir, who said in a statement the SDLP faced a choice "either to continue to prop up and protect Sinn Fein, or to try to agree a constructive relationship with their fellow countrymen in Northern Ireland".
He continued: "The SDLP seems more interested in keeping a pan-nationalist front than in truly building bridges. Unless there is a swift change of attitude, then the talks will founder on the rock of nationalist intransigence." The Rev Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, has denounced the stance of Mr David Trimble on the Stormont talks and called for his removal as UUP leader.
Addressing a "United Unionist" rally of more than 250 people in the Orange Hall at Omagh, Co Tyrone, he said: "The time has come when we must indict David Trimble, call him to the bar of public trial and remove him forever".
As a cry of "Lundy" - the infamous traitor whose effigy is burnt each December by loyalists - rang out, Dr Paisley said: "Everything that makes me an Ulsterman cries out against this treachery".
Dr Paisley said he had received confidential documents leaked from the Stormont talks. Brandishing a sheaf of papers, he said: "Mo Mowlam said I couldn't have them because I wouldn't use them constructively, but I have all of them here in front of me, minutes of the talks and other confidential papers".
He called for the largest street demonstration Northern Ireland had ever seen, in advance of the referendum on the talks outcome planned for next summer.
"Now is the time for all true Ulster unionist people of whatever party they belong to, or no party, to come together, stand up and be numbered," Dr Paisley said. The rally was also addressed by Mr Patrick Roche of the United Kingdom Unionist Party. Capt Austin Ardill of the UUP was to have chaired the meeting but withdrew. The local MP, Mr William Thompson of the UUP, declined an invitation.
The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton will not be addressing the annual dinner of the Ulster Unionist Party in Mr John Taylor's Strangford constituency on Friday. A spokesman for him said he had another engagement which was previously arranged.