A Democratic Unionist politician has criticised the lack of Union flag or any identifiable British symbol on the Northern Executive's new €1 million office in Washington.
After being given a tour of the office - the first to be set up independent of the British Embassy by a devolved government - Lagan Valley MLA Mr Edwin Poots was "annoyed" that there appeared to be no British symbol.
"It annoys me but it doesn't surprise me because at the end of the day, First Minister [David] Trimble's henchmen in Lisburn and Craigavon councils pulled the national flag down," the chairman of the Assembly's Committee of the Centre said.
"So I wouldn't have expected him to have the national flag in the office. I think it would have been appropriate if it had have been," he said.
But Mr Poots welcomed the concept of the Northern Ireland bureau, which was officially opened at the Homer Building two blocks from the White House at a gala reception attended by First Minister Mr Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mr Mark Durkan.
Noting an office had also been opened by the Executive in Brussels, the DUP Assemblyman agreed Northern Ireland must establish a presence in North America and the European Union.
But he said that in doing so, the Executive must deliver good value for money.