The Conservative Party has denied any discrepancy with their partner party, the Ulster Unionists, over the crunch devolution of policing and justice issue.

It comes after Martin McGuinness claimed there is “considerable dismay” within senior Tory ranks over growing UU opposition to the transfer of policing and justice powers to Stormont.

In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph this week, the deputy first minister said he had directly raised the “negative role” of UU Executive Ministers Sir Reg Empey and Michael McGimpsey with Shadow Secretary of State Owen Paterson, who he regarded as a “straight talker”.

Mr McGuinness added: “It was quite clear from my conversation with him that there was some considerable dismay within the Conservative Party about what they were hearing from the UU on the issue of transfer.”

But the Conservative Party said: “There is no discrepancy between ourselves and the UUP. Whatever they decide in relation to this and negotiate with the other parties we will abide by.”

A spokesman added: “We would not talk in terms of issuing them a blank cheque and no doubt there will be further hurdles down the road. But we are not involved in the discussions between the parties in Northern Ireland.”

The Conservatives declined to comment, however, on the new UU policy paper which suggests a five-year financial testing period with Westminster holding onto the purse strings for policing and justice.

Mr McGuinness said the proposal was “unhelpful”.

And as he and First Minister Peter Robinson prepare for key talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown next month on a financial package to underpin the transfer, Mr McGuinness said he believed any incoming Conservative Government would have to honour the agreement.