The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, has declined an invitation to attend the opening of the Millennium Dome in London with Queen Elizabeth and the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, on New Year's Eve.
Mr Adams, who was elected MP for Belfast West, was invited to the celebrations as the parliamentary leader of Sinn Fein, a spokesman for the New Millennium Experience Co said. "The leaders of all British political parties with elected representatives in the House of Commons have been invited."
Downing Street said that the guest list for the Dome celebrations was a matter for the NMEC. "The Prime Minister has himself been invited. It's not a guest list issued by us", a Downing Street spokesman said.