Ulster Unionism on the rocks
The MP for Lagan Valley Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned from the Ulster Unionist Party, sending his party spiralling into chaos.
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Arlene Foster and Lagan Valley Assembly member Norah Beare have also said they are quitting.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has 30 seats in Northern Ireland, following victories in recent Assembly elections, compared to the Ulster Unionists’ 27.
With the resignations, the UUP’s seats will slump to 24, the same number as Sinn Fein’s, further eroding the UUP’s stance as the dominant voice of unionism.
Mr Donaldson has threatened to join the ranks of Rev Ian Paisley’s DUP, which would add one more to the hardline DUP’s majority.
Last night the rebel MP said: “We have made the decision that we are resigning from the Ulster Unionist Party and will be considering our options.
“I have been offered a position on the DUP’s negotiating team to participate in the negotiations taking place in January.
“I will be taking a decision after the holidays.”
