SINN Féin's new northern leader has said an invitation for Donald Trump to visit Northern Ireland "would not now be appropriate", despite Martin McGuinness and Arlene Foster assuring him of a "warm welcome" three months ago.
Michelle O’Neill was responding to criticism of a letter sent by the former first and deputy first ministers to Mr Trump following the US presidential election.
Signed by both Mrs Foster and Mr McGuinness and dated November 9, the ministers offered "personal congratulations and those of all the people we represent" on his election as the 45th President of the United States.
"We are proud to say that the United States is our largest inward investor and we believe that our relationship has proved mutually beneficial for both your great country and our small but dynamic region," the letter said.
However, of most significance was an invitation extended to the president-elect.
"We wish you every success in your new role and we extend an invitation to visit Northern Ireland. You can be assured of a warm welcome."
The Executive Office has confirmed the letter was sent to Mr Trump, but no reply was received.
It emerged in the same week that Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams described the US president's controversial travel ban affecting seven mainly Muslim countries as a "subversion of acceptable standards of decency and equality”.
While running to be a presidential candidate, Mr Trump had called for "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States" in the wake of a mass shooting in California in December 2015.
Sinn Féin has faced calls to detail its links to the billionaire tycoon, previously a high-profile attendee at party fundraisers.
Congressman Peter King, named as one of the key architects of the travel ban, is also known to be a long-time personal ally of Mr Adams.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood called on Ms O'Neill, who replaced Martin McGuinness as the party's northern leader last week, to clarify her position on Mr Trump.
"It is astounding that the former first and deputy first ministers offered Trump a warm welcome here, that they are eager to appease a man of his character and sell out their principles so quickly," he said.
Ms O'Neill said the invitation from the Executive Office was issued "immediately after Donald Trump was elected and before he took office".
“Since taking office, President Trump has pursued policies on immigration and the banning of refugees that runs counter to international standards and decency. I believe these are wrong and should not be imposed at Irish airports," she said.
“The actions of President Trump since taking office mean that an invitation to visit would not now be appropriate.
“If I was in the Executive Office at this time I wouldn’t issue an invitation and I’m confident that Martin McGuinness wouldn't either.”
Alliance's Stewart Dickson said the invitation was "at best premature and at worst risks aligning us with the appalling start to his presidency".
"If any such visit does take place, it should not be an exercise in toadying and sycophancy but rather used to speak truth to power about the US international obligations on refugees and human rights, among others," he said.
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll said there would be "thousands on the streets against Trump if he comes here".
"It is absolutely deplorable the Executive wants to wine and dine this racist and misogynist."
However, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said Mrs Foster and Mr McGuinness "got something right in trying to get the leader of the wealthiest nation in the world to visit Northern Ireland".
And DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said on Twitter: "I reckon Donald Trump may conclude it no longer appropriate to invite some with terrorist convictions to the White House."
