DUP expected to reject deal for Stormont

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said he will not lead the DUP back into powersharing until issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol are resolved.

It comes as Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle O’Neill said the DUP and UK Government must accept and respect the democratic result of the Assembly elections.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey said the “long shadow” of the protocol is casting its mark over politics.

He said: “We want to see this place (Stormont) up and running as soon as possible. We want stable devolved government. We are committed to our participation in those institutions.”

However, he said his party’s position had not changed: “We need decisive action by the government to address the difficulties created by the protocol.

“Whether that is driving up the cost of living, whether that is the harm that it is doing to businesses and our economy, or indeed in undermining political stability in Northern Ireland.

“The protocol needs to be dealt with.”

He added: “We sought a mandate from people to adopt the stance that we have taken and we will continue, as we recognise others also have a democratic mandate”

The DUP leader’s comments suggest the prospects of any quick return of the devolved powersharing executive at Stormont are diminishing.

MLAs returned yesterday and party leaders were also holding separate meetings with Secretary of State Brandon Lewis.

It came as Boris Johnson said he does not plan to be personally involved in the Northern Ireland talks and Downing Street played down reports of a Cabinet rift over the protocol.

Thursday’s historic election saw Sinn Fein become Stormont’s largest party. Ms O’Neill said yesterday: “The people have spoken and they have spoken very clearly.

“The message is one of hope, it is also one of optimism for the future, for the political leaders to work together and to make politics work.

“That is my commitment as a political leader and as an incoming first minister.

“The electorate also demands that the parties get back down to business, to elect a speaker, to sit in the Assembly, to have it function, to appoint a first minister and a deputy first minister, to form a new executive.

“As democrats, the DUP, but also the British Government, must accept and respect the democratic outcome of this election.

“Brinkmanship will not be tolerated where the north of Ireland becomes collateral damage in a game of chicken with the European Commission.

“Responsibility for finding solutions to the protocol lie with Boris Johnson and the EU.

“But make no mistake, we and our business community here will not be held to ransom.”

DEMANDS: DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in Belfast yesterday.