PRESSURE is mounting on the DUP leader Arlene Foster to reveal the source of the party's funding for a Brexit campaign advert in a British newspaper.
Despite assurances from Mrs Foster that her party would say where the money came from to fund the wraparound ad in free newspaper Metro, the identity of the donor remains a mystery.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams last night urged the DUP leader to name the donor saying voters in Northern Ireland had a"right" to know who backed the advert.
It is estimated that the pro-Brexit advert, which appeared just days before last June's EU referendum, cost in the region of £250,000.
It is thought the DUP sponsored the ad so the mystery backer's identity would remain a secret due to the rules in the north which forbid of the publication of donor's identities.
The DUP has refused to release any details about the donations and advertising campaign.
When pressed on the matter during Thursday night's UTV leaders' debate and whether she would name who was behind it, Mrs Foster said: "They (the funds) are from an organisation in England that wants to see the union kept and make sure we can have a United Kingdom because it was a national vote..."
The DUP leader, who has given assurances that she will reveal where the money came from, later told the BBC that her party received a donation but that she could not recall the amount.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said the DUP should release the information.
"The people of the north voted to remain in the referendum last June. The majority of citizens recognised the significant economic and political damage leaving the EU will create for farmers, local communities, jobs and trade," he said.
"In this context citizens have a right to know who funded the DUP campaign, how and where that money was spent, and how much is involved.
"The DUP should not hide behind the Electoral Commission. The party should release this information now. There are strict rules around corporate sponsorship and there can be no place for anyone attempting to get around those rules."
Last year leading Brexit supporter Arron Banks claimed the DUP asked him for £30,000 a month over four months to back his Leave.EU campaign.
Mr Banks also alleged that the DUP eventually got paid £50,000 a month for backing Vote Leave, the official pro-Brexit campaign.
The DUP has denied the claims.
The party has said that all advertising was paid out of party funds.
A spokesman said: "All the necessary returns for the referendum campaign have been submitted to the Electoral Commission and will be published by the commission in due course."
