A controversial visit to the Houses of Parliament in London by Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, is in the balance following a challenge to his plans from the Labour chairman of a House of Commons committee.
Mr Michael Martin, chairman of the Commons administration select committee, is to call for the event to be scrapped after it emerged yesterday that a news conference organised for next week is not a book launch after all.
Commons authorities had suggested that Mr Adams would be allowed to attend a news conference because, according to House rules, as a former MP, he is permitted to launch an autobiography provided a sitting MP books the room.
But yesterday, Brandon Book Publishers, of Dingle, Co Kerry, which is publishing Mr Adams's autobiography in association with William Heinemann, insisted that the book was being launched in Dublin next Wednesday.
"No book launch is scheduled for the House of Commons," said Brandon's editorial director, Mr Steve MacDonogh.
Last night, Mr Martin, Labour MP for Springburn, said he believed Brandon's clarification put a new light on the matter.
"In view of this latest information that this is a press conference and not a book launch, then I am not happy at all that this event should be held in the Palace of Westminster," he said.
Mr Martin added. "I will be contacting the appropriate officials immediately to see what steps can be taken to prevent this coming about."