The event due to take place on Thursday has now been called off after members of the public reportedly lobbied the Merrion Hotel not to host the group, yet James Reynolds is a confirmed co-founder of the new political party. The name Nationalparty.ie reserved to host the group’s future website was bought under his name in September.

Reynolds was formerly IFA county chair in Longford. He was suspended from the IFA in 2012 for a year.

The other leading figure in the National Party is Justin Barrett, the face of the No to Nice referendum campaign of 2001 and a noted campaigner against abortion.

The Dealer, who has become accustomed to strict political neutrality from all farming organisations and their representatives, understands that an emergency meeting of the ICSA’s executive board is scheduled for this Friday to deal with the issue.