EDWIN Poots has insisted he is not the source of leaks detailing a controversial meeting between Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Doug Beattie last June.
The agriculture minister issued a statement yesterday saying "some individuals" had suggested he was the source of press reports.
Sir Jeffrey and Mr Beattie's accounts of the meeting differ, with the DUP leader claiming the focus was on improving unionist co-operation.
The Ulster Unionist leader says last year's meeting was about Sir Jeffrey rejoining the party he left in 2003.
The Lagan Valley MP last week said he was approached by the UUP on the issue but insists he never had any intention of rejoining a party.
He has portrayed the exchange with the UUP as more of a conversation on achieving greater co-operation among unionists.
A short time after the meeting, which took place during Mr Poots' short tenure as DUP leader, the political landscape shifted unexpectedly and Sir Jeffrey emerged as leader.
On Monday, Mr Beattie insisted it was "clear" that the meeting he had with Sir Jeffrey was to discuss him rejoining his party.
Mr Beattie said he has texts of exchanges with Sir Jeffrey and added that he would act to protect his integrity if his version of events was challenged.
Mr Poots subsequently denied that he was the source of a story that first emerged last week.
"Over the past number of days some individuals in the media have been suggesting someone within the DUP leaked details of the Beattie/Donaldson meeting," he said in a tweet.
"My name has been mentioned a number of times. This is entirely untruthful.
"I and those who supported my leadership campaign last year were not aware of this meeting, nor any details of engagements that took place. It is impossible to leak something of which you know nothing about.
"The media should desist from using 'sources' to spread myths which have zero substance on behalf of people seeking to cause division within the DUP."
