UUP's first fundraiser in US was 'sabotaged'
Campaign by nationalists asking people not to attend.
By Sean O'Driscoll
01 October 2004

Nearly half the guests expected at the Ulster Unionist Party's first US fundraiser failed to show up after a letter and phone call campaign by Irish nationalist groups linked to Sinn Fein, the UUP has claimed.

The $$1,000 event, with a speech by UUP leader David Trimble, was expected to attract 200 people, but less than 120 turned up, according to staff at Cipriani's, one of Manhattan's most exclusive restaurants.

During Trimble's speech, he was flanked on either side by a long row of empty tables.

A UUP source said that the party had assurances from potential guests that they would attend only five days before and that the party was a victim of a letter and phone campaign by Irish nationalist groups opposed to the UUP's links to the Orange Order.

The party claims that a number of guests who attended the event were asked not to do so by New York-based Irish nationalists.

A number of Irish nationalist groups, including the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Brehon Law Society, both with strong links to Sinn Fein, had written letters of protest to one of the fundraiser's chief supporters, billionaire Ronald S Lauder, a son of Estee Lauder and an heir to his family's cosmetic's business.

The letters highlighted Trimble's membership of the Orange Order, which the groups blame for provoking sectarian hatred during Northern Ireland's marching season.

Lauder did not attend the UUP event, which took place early yesterday.

Stephen McCabe, a spokesperson for the Brehon Law Society in Nassau County, New York, and a prominent campaigner for three alleged IRA members cleared of terrorism charges in Colombia, said that he had written to Lauder highlighting the UUP's links to the Orange Order, but had not tried to dissuade guests from attending the event.

The event, organised by a group called the Friends of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was supported by Edward Haughey, who asked business associates to attend.

Five guests who spoke to the Belfast Telegraph after the event were all business clients of Mr Haughey.

All five said that they were not put under any pressure by nationalist groups and were unaware of any controversy surrounding the event.