DUP Leadership Backs Agreement to Re-establish Devolution in Stormont

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) executive has voted to support a deal that would allow power sharing to be restored in Northern Ireland, according to party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. He explained that the deal could provide a basis for the DUP to reform an executive, but this would be subject to new legislation being passed in parliament and final agreement on a timetable. The party has been boycotting government at Stormont for nearly two years. While Sir Jeffrey faced criticism from some members of the party who spoke against the deal, he emphasized that the vote had been decisive and that he had been mandated to move forward. The specific details of the deal have not been published yet, but Sir Jeffrey expressed confidence in the progress made and believed that the government could quickly bring forward legislation to implement it. However, he expressed disappointment and concern over leaks from a private meeting, describing it as a misrepresentation and a betrayal. The DUP had previously collapsed the executive in protest against post-Brexit trade arrangements. The party has been in talks with the UK government to seek changes to these arrangements. The legislation agreed with Westminster, according to Sir Jeffrey, would remove checks on goods moving within the UK and remaining in Northern Ireland, and end Northern Ireland's blind adherence to EU laws. Chris Heaton-Harris, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, welcomed the DUP's decision, stating that all conditions were now in place for the Assembly to return. Sinn Féin, the largest party in the most recent election, expressed optimism about the deal and emphasized the need for political stability to address the crisis in public services. However, some opposition figures, including the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader, expressed opposition to the deal, claiming that the DUP had betrayed their own pledges.