The role of civil servants in the latest Executive bust-up was called into question last night amid warnings the Stormont administration looks increasingly fragile.

Senior Stormont sources said officials, including departmental assistant liaison officers, should have been sending warning signals to avoid First Minister Peter Robinson (right) accusing Sinn Fein Minister Conor Murphy of attempting to subvert the Executive.

As the Belfast Telegraph exclusively revealed yesterday, the DUP leader has warned of possible High Court action and demanded an immediate Executive meeting over changes to major regional development strategy documents.

One insider said: “It is absolutely incredible that things have been allowed to get to this level. I would find it amazing if civil servants were not pointing out the difficulties: that is their job. Were they instructed not to say anything? And if so, by who?”

Former DUP MEP Jim Allister, who privately complained of “pro-republican” language in the documents, said a full explanation of the role of civil servants “who surely should have advised Murphy against this malevolent political action” was required.

As Mr Robinson lead a party delegation to meet the paramilitary watchdog, the Independent Monitoring Commission — which could have a role in assessing whether Republicans have breached the pledge of office — the self-styled ‘opposition’ Alliance party warned the quarrel shows how fragile the Executive has become.

“The depth and breadth of the problems is now clear for everyone to see. If the Executive is serious about serving with the best interests of the public then they should take a step back from this brinkmanship,” said deputy leader Naomi Long, who also chairs the Stormont committee which monitors the Office of the First and Deputy First Ministers.

Mr Robinson accused the Regional Development Minister of acting unlawfully in relation to the strategy blueprint, the result of a five-year review, which calls Northern Ireland ‘the North’ and refers to the province’s second city as ‘Derry’.

“I view this deliberate attempt to subvert the Executive as an act of the utmost bad faith,” Mr Robinson said in a letter seen by the Telegraph. It is also understood he sent a private memo to Mr McGuinness urging him to seriously consider an Executive meeting as soon as possible.

But Sinn Fein MLA John |O’Dowd hit back: “Aside from the fact that Peter Robinson has no authority to write any letter on any subject on behalf of OFMDFM without the agreement of Sinn Féin, people will be amazed that at a time when there are real outstanding issues to resolve Mr Robinson has the time to play petty politics.The pattern seems to be Jim Allister raises an issue and it becomes a DUP priority.”

The First Minister argued, however, it was an extremely serious matter going to the heart of the entire decision-making process and credibility of the Executive.

Mr Murphy is on holiday but returns to his desk on Monday when he may make a statement in response to the latest row, which comes as the two parties had been attempting, behind the scenes, to agree to joint talks at leadership level, including Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, next week.

Sinn Fein has been refusing to agree to Executive meetings since June insisting there is no point until the transfer of police and justice powers from Westminster to the Assembly, among other issues — such as Irish language legislation — have been resolved.