Stormont: DUP won't be distracted by hype over deal, says Donaldson

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson emailed party members with an update

The DUP leader has insisted he will not be "sidetracked by calendar-led initiatives" when it comes to deciding whether to return to Stormont.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson made the remark in an email to party members on Saturday about government talks.

It comes amid speculation a decision is nearing after his 12 most senior members, known as the party officers, met on Friday.

But Mr Donaldson said in the email that more work was needed.

He added that the party would not be "distracted by hype, spin and sometimes ill-founded claims".

The DUP collapsed the executive 22 months ago in protest against post-Brexit trade arrangements.

It has been involved in talks on this and separately with other parties about future Stormont finances.

On Thursday, Sir Jeffrey said it was "approaching the time" for a decision.

Although there is no formal deadline in the talks, the government has been working to secure agreement before parliament breaks for Christmas on Tuesday.

The parties are due at Hillsborough Castle on Monday to hold separate talks on a proposed financial offer from the government, which is dependent on Stormont's return.

What did the email say?

Sir Jeffrey in his email, seen by BBC News NI, said of the package that much of it "does not deal with our long-term challenges".

"More work will be required and I have no doubt the government will want to advance on their offer on Monday.

"They will ultimately need to move on a substantive change to our funding formula."

• Who are the 12 party members key to Stormont's return?

• Stormont talks: Same decade, same approach

• What is the Windsor Framework?

The DUP is holding talks with the government about returning to power-sharing government

In blocking a functioning assembly and executive, the DUP - Stormont's second largest party - has demonstrated against the Northern Ireland Protocol, and later the Windsor Framework, each setting out how Northern Ireland trades with Great Britain.

The DUP has argued they undermine Northern Ireland's place in the UK internal market by introducing additional checks on the movement of goods.

In his email, the DUP leader said he had been able to identify "legislative measures and potential actions that would be in keeping with our negotiating objectives".

But he said they would be "measured against the tests in our manifesto, and that work for Northern Ireland and our place within the United Kingdom".

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the government was ready to legislate to protect Northern Ireland's position and would work "at pace".