US President Bush's St Patrick's Day celebrations were tonight marred by controversy as DUP leader Rev Ian Paisley refused to take part in a photocall for Northern Ireland political leaders.
The Democratic Unionist leader had been scheduled to join other Northern Ireland political leaders at the White House for an early morning reception.
But US Government plans to have a photocall with the President and the North's unionist, nationalist and cross community party leaders including Sinn Féin's Mr Gerry Adams in the Oval Office angered the North Antrim MP who said he would be staying away.
A DUP spokesman explained: "The traditional chance of individually meeting the President has been denied.
"There will be no private meeting but we are being told a one-off photocall will take place instead.
"The DUP is very clear where it stands in this regard. We will not be doing it."
The row erupted just hours before Taoiseach Mr Ahern and Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers, Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan, jetted into the US capital to take part in St Patrick's events in the city.
Northern Ireland Secretary Mr John Reid was also due to arrive today.
Sinn Féin president Mr Adams and vice president Mr Pat Doherty flew into Washington today for meetings with President Bush's special adviser on Northern Ireland, Mr Richard Haass and New York Senator Ms Hillary Clinton.
Mr Adams, who has been in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky on a week-long tour of the US, will also travel to Baltimore tonight for a party fund-raiser.
PA