The Democratic Unionists must declare whether their plans for the North's peace process are a "reheated" version of the Belfast Agreement, the UUP leader Mr David Trimble has said.
Despite election campaigns vociferously opposed to the Agreement, recent comments from the DUP leader Rev Ian Paisley suggest the party is moving towards "the architecture of the agreement", the former Northern Ireland first minister said.
Dr Paisley emerged from all-party talks last week involving the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern and the British Prime Minster Mr Tony Blair, saying he wants devolution in the North based on "all parties working together".
"By saying 'all' the DUP are waving good-bye to their voluntary coalition model. They have moved now to embrace inclusivity — in effect this is simply a re-heating of the Agreement," Mr Trimble said today.
Following the meeting in London Mr Blair made it clear that decisions would need to be made about the North's political future and for the first time hinted alternatives to the Belfast Agreement may be considered.
Mr Trimble today maintained comments after the talks made it "clear that the DUP are hoping to do a deal by September".
"It is important that they come clean with the public and their own supporters as to what this deal is," Mr Trimble said.