DUP leader Peter Robinson has accused Sinn Fein of "snooping" on his private correspondence – after republicans leaked details of a deal for former police part-time reservists.
The First Minister made the charge after Sinn Fein junior minister Gerry Kelly revealed the contents of a letter sent to Mr Robinson by the Prime Minister regarding a £20 million payment to former members of the RUC and PSNI part-time reserve.
The
News Letter exclusively revealed the existence of a deal between the Prime Minister and Mr Robinson more than a week ago.
Mr Brown's letter was inadvertently sent to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, instead of privately to Mr Robinson, meaning that Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness also received a copy.
Sinn Fein then used the letter to accuse the Government of seeking to buy off the DUP on the devolution of policing and justice.
The war of words sent relations between the parties to a new low in the bitter wrangle over policing and justice.
Mr Robinson said: "I have received a letter from the Prime Minister relating to a gratuity payment for those who served in the part-time reserve.
"I had decided, as a matter of courtesy, not to publish the content of this letter until I had met with the RUC GC Association which represents part-time reservists and discussed the proposal with them.
"For clarity, it should be known that the Prime Minister's office sent the letter to OFMDFM not knowing that Sinn Fein would be snooping on my correspondence."
Mr Kelly said his party had also received the letter and believed it was part of a side-deal on policing and justice.
"When Gordon Brown raised this issue with ourselves, Martin McGuinness told him that such a payment was wrong and unacceptable and was no part of the process to transfer powers on policing and justice."
Mr Robinson defended his communication with Mr Brown and said the former police reservists deserved the payment.
He said he would be continuing to push for them to receive the gratuity.
UUP leader Sir Reg Empey accused both the DUP and Sinn Fein of using "cynical choreography" to try and manipulate the devolution of policing and justice for their own ends.
He maintained both parties were aware that each knew of the existence of the letter from Gordon Brown some time ago.
