Donaldson: I want DUP back in the Executive, but protocol must be sorted first

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Sir Jeffrey said he believes people recognise the DUP’s actions have been “measured and proportionate”. “That’s not to say we can’t work with Sinn Fein and the other parties in the Executive, we have done that and will continue to do that, but in the end I think most political parties enter an election to win and the DUP has entered this election to win.” Sir Jeffrey also defended his attendance at anti-protocol rallies. “We have to listen to the genuine concerns that people have, and I want to ensure that where there is opposition to the protocol, where people want to protest, that we provide a platform to enable them to do so peacefully and lawfully, and I think that is the way forward in respect of opposition to the protocol.” Meanwhile, after a bruising 2021 when former DUP leader Arlene Foster resigned before her successor Edwin Poots also quit, Sir Jeffrey said under his leadership the party is “much more united now”. While traditionally the DUP had been strongly associated with the Free Presbyterian Church, Sir Jeffrey said the party is a “very broad church” and “very representative of the wider unionist community”.