Published Thursday, 09 February 2012
In recent weeks it has been a case of ''you couldn't make it up''.
When David McNarry resigned from the UUP Assembly over going too far in his comments over discussions with the DUP on Unionist unity, it opened some old sores.
Just how far did those talks go?
Who was involved and what was Tom Elliott's role?
We do know there were discussions with Peter Robinson, Nigel Dodds and Sammy Wilson on the DUP side with Elliott, McNarry, Danny Kennedy and party chairman David Campbell on the UUP side.
Normal political talks, says Mr Elliott, in line with discussions with other parties.
Not so, says Mr McNarry. They were substantial, he claims.
The Strangford MLA also says Mr Elliott's ''kitchen cabinet'' was kept informed of the talks.
This group spent an overnight in Lough Erne and there were subsequent meetings.
Mr McNarry will not say who attended these meetings but from my sources I gather those present were Elliott, McNarry, Kennedy. Danny Kinahan, Mike Nesbitt, Lord Empey and MEP Jim Nicholson.
Oddly, the party's Deputy Leader John McAllister was not included.
A disciplinary committee will now decide if Mr McNarry has broken party rules. Other UUP staff members are also being investigated.
The party want the matter sorted before the AGM on March 31.
It will be a real test of Tom Elliott's leadership in more ways than one.
Watch this space!