Divisions within the Ulster Unionist Party widened further yesterday when supporters of the leadership criticised the dissident MP, Mr Willie Ross.
Meanwhile the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, has defended his support for the Belfast Agreement, claiming it was republicans who were the losers. He challenged the leadership of the republican movement to "be honest" with its grassroots. "This agreement requires all signatories to accept partition and decommissioning."
Mr Trimble also said he wanted the IRA to take other measures in addition to decommissioning. These included a declaration that its campaign was over; the standing down of its active service units; and a return to their families of the bodies of missing people.
Supporters of the UUP leader yesterday targeted Mr Ross, who has been outspoken in his opposition to the agreement. The East Londonderry association chairman, Mr Tom Fleming, claimed the MP for the area was out of touch with unionist grassroots feelings.
A local councillor, Mr David McClarty, said: "Sadly, I think William has got it all wrong. He has not consulted the constituency association. I believe his stance at the present time is a purely personal position."
The constituency association later moved to smooth over these divisions. In a statement, it recognised Mr Ross's lifelong contribution to unionism and expressed the need for unity in the ranks.
Mr Ross yesterday remained unperturbed by the criticism. He said he was merely reflecting the feelings of many ordinary unionists, the vast majority of whom opposed the agreement once they had read it.
He said he disagreed with what he called his party's U-turn on decommissioning. "I don't think I am out of touch at all. I believe that the Ulster Unionist Party had a very straightforward policy in regard to the disarmament of terrorist organisations and I believe we have departed from that and that disappoints me.
"Tom is a party man and he is defending the position of his party leader. Whenever I go around the street, I am convinced that my point of view is right."
Another dissident UUP MP, Mr William Thompson, defended his colleague and claimed it was Mr Ross's critics who were out of touch. He insisted the No campaign was prospering and that opponents of the agreement represented mainstream unionism.
He was speaking yesterday at a "united unionist" press conference in Belfast, along with the DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, and the UK Unionist leader, Mr Robert McCartney. They announced details of a door-to-door campaign across the North.
Mr Robinson denied the No campaign was faltering. "Far from it. We are only starting. We will be setting up organisations on the ground in each of the 18 constituencies to go out door-to-door." Mr McCartney said "corruption" was being used to obtain a Yes vote. The "carrot" of £70,000 a year for members of the new assembly was being used to buy support for the agreement from unionist politicians.