STOP PRESS: Shandwick denies Times report

Shandwick has denied claims made in the Times this week that the Government has suspended payment for a project the agency handled to promote last month’s tour of the US by politicians from Northern Ireland. First minister David Trimble and secretary of State Mo Mowlam were touring 11 US cities to raise inward investment for Ulster. Shandwick’s UK regional businesses chief executive, John Gerrie, said the agency had yet to submit its final invoices for the project. Shandwick is awaiting independent media evaluation of the work.