Sir Jeffrey Donaldson accuses TUV of erecting 'sell-out' posters outside party office

Writing on X, Sir Jeffrey said the people who put up the posters were captured on CCTV doing it and that he would not be intimidated. Credit: PACEMAKER

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has accused the TUV of putting up posters outside one of his party's offices.

The posters which say, 'Stop DUP sell-out', were erected outside the party's office in Lisburn.

Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said on social media that he believed the TUV were behind the posters.

The posters have also been put up in areas across Northern Ireland.

Writing on X, Sir Jeffrey said the people who put up the posters were captured on CCTV doing it. He said he would not be intimated.

"These cowards will not deter me from doing my job," he said. 

DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson added: "The DUP will not be intimidated or influenced by such shadowy behaviour from those afraid to identify themselves."

In a statement, a TUV spokesperson said: “There is no need for the DUP to get angry if they hold to the united Unionist pledges made on Ulster Day 2021 that it is their “unalterable position that the Protocol must be rejected and replaced by arrangements which fully respect Northern Ireland’s position as a constituent and integral part of the United Kingdom”.

“The DUP fought two elections on the basis of their Seven Tests. They don’t have a mandate for any deal which falls short of those tests.

“With all the spin in the media and pressure from the powers that be, the concerns of ordinary loyalists are being overlooked. It is not surprising, therefore that Unionists have found an outlet to make their feelings clear.

“The TUV has always seen it as its role to apply the brakes on any sell out of the constitutional position of Northern Ireland. It is worth remembering that the lead Unionist party won its mandate on the basis of solemn pledges on the Protocol.

" Many of those in council chambers and in the Assembly owe their seats to TUV transfers so the DUP should be cautious about being disparaging about those whose transfers they were grateful for a few months ago.

“Unionism, not just TUV, expects the DUP to hold fast to their election promises.

"Posters aren’t intimidation and we look forward to the warning they contain being heeded.“

It comes as cross-party talks to resolve Stormont's worsening financial situation are due to resume at Hillsborough Castle on Monday. It's expected that the government will improve the £2.5billion package it offered last week, if the parties reform an Executive.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson wrote to party members over the weekend to say negotiations with the government over the Windsor Framework are continuing.

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