Nearly half the guests expected at the Ulster Unionists Party's first US fund-raising event failed to show up after a letter and phone call campaign by Irish nationalist groups, the UUP has claimed.
The $1,000 per head event, which included a speech by UUP leader Mr David Trimble, was expected to attract 200 people, but fewer than 120 turned up, according to staff at Cipriani's, one of Manhattan's most exclusive restaurants. A UUP source said the party had assurances from potential guests that they would attend only five days before and that it was a victim of a letter and phone campaign by Irish nationalist groups opposed to the UUP's links to the Orange Order.
The UUP claims that a number of guests were asked not to attend by New York-based Irish nationalists. Letters from nationalist groups highlighted Mr Trimble's membership of the order.
The event, organised by the Friends of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was supported by Mr Edward Haughey, the multi-millionaire founder of Norbrook pharmaceutical company.