Hundreds of Hillary Clinton's supporters were travelling to Washington yesterday before a crucial Democratic Party meeting that could extinguish one of the last hopes she has of reviving her candidacy.

Security was being tightened outside the Washington hotel where the party's Rules and Bylaws Committee will decide on Saturday how to resolve the disputed primary elections from Florida and Michigan.

A huge demonstration by Mrs Clinton's supporters is being planned, with demands that the results from the disputed elections — both of which Mrs Clinton won — be counted in full. Mr Obama has sent a nationwide e-mail urging his backers not to attend, amid fears that the rally could turn violent.

Michigan and Florida were stripped of their delegates for moving their primaries up the nominating calendar, in breach of party rules. Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama agreed with the decision when it was taken in August. They did not campaign in either state and Mr Obama took his name off the ballot in Michigan.

The former First Lady beat Mr Obama by 50 per cent to 33 in Florida. She won 55 per cent in Michigan, against 40 per cent “uncommitted”, out of the 2.3 million votes cast in the two states. The dispute is problematic for Mr Obama and the party because both states are key general election battlegrounds and they cannot afford to alienate voters.

Mrs Clinton argues that the 368 delegates from the two states be seated in full at the nominating convention. She would then close the delegate gap by 91, although it would not be enough to overtake Mr Obama. His campaign has said it is open to a compromise whereby half the delegates are seated.

The 30-member committee has 13 declared Clinton supporters and eight for Mr Obama. Yet there appears to be a growing consensus to back the 50 per cent compromise. Mrs Clinton could appeal to the party's Credentials Committee, which would in effect mean taking the issue all the way to the convention in August.

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