No chuckling now

Perhaps a mild rebuke for Peter Robinson over the on-off Downing Street meetings? Not a bit of it.

This time it was personal.

The DUP needs to get real, said the deputy First Minister.

''I'm a plain speaker there is no backwater in me whatsoever I'm also someone who has made huge efforts with Ian Paisley and with Peter Robinson to build a good personal relationship", he said.

"I think I've managed that with both, unfortunately I have to record my annoyance at the fact I haven't been able to develop a close working relationship with Peter Robinson and I can assure you that it is no deficiency or lack of effort on my part.''

He was clearly angry.

The First Minister said the ''personal attack'' was regrettable and unhelpful.

On Thursday, the two will sit around the executive table.

It should be interesting.