https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68074278
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said he will not be “deflected” after revealing he was threatened over his efforts to reach a deal to restore power-sharing.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader said one of those behind the threat “didn’t even vote at the last election”.
He was speaking as the Commons debated a bill to extend the deadline for restoring devolution to 8 February.
The executive has not met for 23 months because of a DUP protest.
It has also blocked the functioning of the Northern Ireland Assembly as it seeks changes to post-Brexit trade rules.
“A unionism that turns in on itself is not the way to go,” he told MPs on Wednesday.
“I was threatened by those who never put on a uniform, by those who haven’t served our country and when I checked out one of the people who threatened me, they weren’t even on the register.
“They didn’t vote at the last election,” he told the Commons.
“They can’t even come out to vote for our future in the union. Yet they’re threatening people like me who are working day and night to find solutions.”
The move to legislate for an extension is aimed at giving the DUP more time to decide whether to return to power-sharing.
The Northern Ireland Executive Formation Bill is expected to pass all stages in the House of Commons and House of Lords on Wednesday and the government hopes the bill will receive Royal Assent by the end of the week.
If there is still no executive, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris will be under a legal duty to call an election, but it is understood he may instead put new governance arrangements in place including a greater role for London.
‘Wait to cast verdict’
In a lengthy speech, the DUP leader – whose party is facing pressure to return to Stormont – said he would “continue on course” and work to reach a decision and that “further changes” would come as a result of his party’s actions.
He also directed criticism at his unionist rivals in the Traditional Unionist Voice – a party that is opposed to returning to Stormont.
“What has the TUV delivered by way of change to the protocol – not a single thing,” he said.
Chris Heaton-Harris leaving 10 Downing Street
IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES
Image caption,
NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris may have to legislate for light-touch direct rule if Stormont does not return
He accused others of attempting to “orchestrate opposition to a deal that has not yet taken place”.
“The fact we’re sat here today in the Commons extending legislation reflects the reality that no agreement has yet been reached,” he continued.
“There are some who for their own narrow purposes are putting it about that certain things have been agreed and they know it’s there.
“But I say this – wait until an agreement is reached before you make your final verdict.”
Sir Jeffrey added that there was a “tiny minority” of people who did not want Stormont back and would prefer “imperfect direct rule than an imperfect Stormont”.
Stormont next steps will ‘protect public services’
DUP meeting was not make or break – Donaldson
The 12 DUP members key to Stormont’s return
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said those who threatened Sir Jeffrey “couldn’t lace his boots”.
“We are in a more hopeful place than we have been – if this today symbolises we are getting closer to a resolution we have to welcome it and give it space.”
Alliance MP Stephen Farry said he found Sir Jeffrey’s words “encouraging”.
And he said if the DUP returns to the executive that will be a “smoother way” of releasing money to resolve public pay sector disputes than putting pressure on the government to step in.
Opening the debate, Mr Heaton-Harris had said the government still believes in devolution and “strongly believes in power-sharing”,.
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Hillary Benn said it appeared talks between the DUP and the government had arrived at a “moment of decision”.
“The last time we did this with similar legislation, something significant happened five days later as the Windsor Framework negotiations concluded so let us live in a state of hope – tempered as always, by experience.”
Julian Smith
IMAGE SOURCE, EPA
Image caption,
Julian Smith was Northern Ireland secretary during the New Decade, New Approach talks
Earlier, Julian Smith – who served as Northern Ireland secretary from 2019 until 2020 – said devolution was the “key route” for making the case for the union.
He said the DUP “seem to have negotiated a very good deal on issues around the Windsor Framework”.
“I’m sure some within the party will still have concerns – this will not be perfect but much better now having moved forward and done so much work over the last few months, to go back into the executive and make further arguments from there.”
He added: “For unionism generally being in the devolved assembly is the key route to making the case for the union.”
The debate comes after a major strike in Northern Ireland last week by tens of thousands of public sector workers about pay rises.
Mr Heaton-Harris said the funding offer to Northern Ireland’s parties for a restored executive would allow money to fund this.
by Weary-Application-59
31 comments
Jeff inflamed Loyalist insecurities to justify the DUP not going into government. Now that he wants to return, they’re unhappy.
What the fuck did he expect?!
> DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson _faces down_ critics
Must be standing on a chair or something. A bin, maybe?
Also:
# 🍿
Foolish to follow Boris, moment he signed that deal any real energy to change it went out the door and now no one wants to know.
There is no way out for the DUP at the moment and Jeff isn’t strong enough to get the rest of them to work together.
It will be interesting to see where the inevitable splitters from the DUP end up. Can’t see them wanting to join the TUV, and Alister probably loves being the undisputed lord of his own party anyway, other big names joining threaten his dominance.
Fortunately; Jeffrey’s military training of (checks notes) how to harass T*igs will finally become useful and he can face down these pensioners who he definitely hasn’t enabled through his numerous connections with terrorist groups such as Ulster Resistance
https://www.facebook.com/LaganValleyDUP/photos/a.114154593527260/167059164903469/?type=3
He needs to read his history and lead a cross-border incursion into north Louth to show the €U that the border’s nat werkin’
Did someone threaten to put his biscuits in the TALL cupboard again? 🤔
The heartless bastards
Jeff, the interns you are setting about each other, they are bright, young, potent things.
Whatever go-getter you have spewing your fading version of relevance – has to talk to another bright young thing, and convince them of your relevance. Otherwise we don’t get your irrelevant face in the news every single fucking day.
Jeff.
Leave these people alone.
Mere days after Moore Holmes & Bryson demanded that those DUP politicians who where going back into Stormont to make their names and their vote public so that Unionists know who has betrayed them.
Funny that.
He has absolutely stuck himself in a corner. I know for ages nationalists (me included) found it hilarious, but it really ain’t good for anybody right now.
Threatened? You mean ordered, by his bosses the loyalist council.
Ridiculous that politicians of any persuasion are being threatened in this day and age.
They’ve had more than enough time. We need to get them the fuck out.
Ahhhhhh David Trimble is smiling somewhere.. suck it up buttercup.
He’s been a right silly cunt
Wee Jeff wants us to feel sorry for him
Bwyson tactic
“Ive been fwettened!!
Are we talking about an ASDA uniform here or a UDR one?
‘Working day and night’
Is he talking about Jim Allister?
They’re waiting for Jesus to get back to them with some advice
Jeff is the real victim in all of this.
I bet Jim is fumin, just for a change. Definitely sounds like the legwork is being put in to soften the blow.
Fucking about and finding out
Loyalism, turning on itself when it can’t blame anyone else.
Finally swapped pompous for a slither of passion and genuineness (If that’s a word)
He implied he knew exactly who had issued the threat. If so then why didn’t he just name who threatened him? He has parliamentary privilege.
Any day now we’ll have the RDUP, NDUP, CDUP.
Jim One Seat Allister already returning fire from this outburst today with an article in the News Letter.
Billy Hutchinson also with an article out.
Fucking Unionism all the time cannibalising itself.
They were all warned about the dangers of Brexit and what it would cause. The Brits were happy to get themselves out of the EU but leave their good old Loyalist Ulster Brethern in. Sold out by the UK Govt now it’s everyone elses fault.
This will likely bring a split in the DUP but probably not as severe as most expect. Plus rumours of Samwise Gammon heading to the TUV seem unlikely. Jim won’t like competing for attention with Sammy.
This stinks of bs, I doubt he was threatened at all
Be careful big Jeff, if that blood pressure gets any higher he could end up in hospital with the underpaid nurses he wont give a payrise to..