Divisions within ISME, the small firms lobby group, deepened yesterday when six of the directors removed a seventh director of the organisation, writes Barry O'Keeffe.

The director, Mr Don Curry, a founder member of the organisation, was removed from office, although the directors refused to specify a reason. Mr Curry said last night that the matter would be referred to ISME's national council, and he questioned the directors' authority to remove him.

The directors also refused to expand the board by a further seven members, a move which other members say had been agreed at a meeting of the national council in February.

The national council is drawn from the whole membership, and comprises 38 members. The directors are on the board of ISME Ltd, the holding company for the organisation.

Sources said last night that the directors, who include Mr Terry Hobdell, Mr Eoghan Hynes, Mr David Dixon and Ms Irene Bergin, had previously acceded to the national council's demands for expanding the board. However, at a meeting at noon at ISME headquarters yesterday, Mr Curry, who was not at that meeting, was removed.

When the new directors turned up for a board meeting at 2 p.m. they were told that their request was not being acceded to and that Mr Curry had been removed.