Former First Minister Peter Robinson's oft-lauded political skills have been called into question by a global authority.
It seems the man regarded as politics' master tactician was unable to demonstrate the necessary "element of skill" that would have secured his party a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Following last autumn's series of resignations and renominations by DUP ministers, their rivals in the Ulster Unionist Party felt the stunt merited recognition.
Between September 10 and October 20, the DUP's executive ministers resigned no fewer than 27 times at Mr Robinson's behest.
Mike Nesbitt's party duly contacted the Guinness Book of World Records to establish whether the in-out policy was worthy of inclusion alongside other examples of human endeavour and nature's extremes.
But yesterday it emerged that the bid for the DUP to claim the world record for 'most ministerial resignations in a single mandate' was unsuccessful.
According to the UUP, Guinness World Records pointed out that they assess applications on very strict criteria, including the requirement that those attempting to break records demonstrate "an element of skill".
There was no further comment from the UUP.
However, a DUP spokesman said the Ulster Unionists "clearly have too much time on their hands".
"Guinness World Records dismissed this bid reasonably quickly," a spokesman said.
"In a few months Mike Nesbitt will make a pitch to the people of Northern Ireland that he can be first minister – I imagine the electorate will dismiss that in record time."
