DUP leadership: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson confirms bid for top job

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has confirmed his candidacy for the leadership of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

In May, the Lagan Valley MP was defeated by Edwin Poots, who is to resign following internal divisions.

Sir Jeffrey has previously said he would leave Westminster and become NI's first minister if he became leader.

He warned that Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive would be at risk if the UK government fails to take "decisive action" over the protocol.

Nominations for the leadership will close at midday on Tuesday but Sir Jeffrey is likely to take the top job unopposed.

"Now, more than ever, we need to unite in the face of the threats posed to Northern Ireland by the protocol," he said in a statement.

"Make no mistake, this is the number one issue facing our country, our people and our place within the United Kingdom.

"If elected, I will ensure that the government doesn't just listen, but recognises the need to take decisive action to deal quickly with the protocol.

"A failure to act will undoubtedly have consequences for the stability of our political institutions and the prosperity of our economy."

The decision by Mr Poots to stand down followed a revolt over his decision to nominate Paul Givan as first minister.

Mr Givan became first minister on Thursday, however, has since been told by DUP officers that he must resign from the post when a new party leader takes over.

As it stands, it very much feels like this is going to be a one-horse race.

Come 12:00 BST on Tuesday, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is expected to be declared the leader-designate of the DUP.

Then we're expecting a ratification process which we understand will happen at some stage next week.

Sir Jeffrey, if he does indeed become the next DUP leader, has to find a pathway back to Stormont. He has made it clear he wants to lead the party here as first minister.

To do that, he has to find a seat and get himself co-opted.

The number one priority for Sir Jeffrey is to get back among the MLAs at Stormont.

Sinn Féin had refused to nominate a deputy first minister to the joint office unless there was a commitment to implement the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement, which contained provisions for the Irish language.

The UK government said it would introduce legislation in October if the assembly had failed to do so.

Sir Jeffrey has previously said he will not nominate a first minister unless there is "significant change in the plans to bring in Irish language laws".

He has also expressed opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol, part of the Brexit deal which keeps NI aligned to the EU single market, but has caused disruption in trade with Great Britain.

Earlier, outgoing First Minister Paul Givan said Sir Jeffrey would have his "full support" should he decide to run for leader of the DUP.

"Jeffrey is a formidable politician, one that has a lot to offer Northern Ireland," said Mr Givan.

"I have spoken to Jeffrey Donaldson over the weekend, I have encouraged him to put his name forward, if he does, he'll have my full support."

Mr Givan was speaking following his first official event in Belfast since becoming first minister last week.

He described Sir Jeffrey as "a close, personal friend" and a "constituency colleague".

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson shares an office with both Mr Givan and outgoing DUP leader Edwin Poots.

Sir Jeffrey, born in Kilkeel, County Down, first became politically active as a constituency agent for the South Down MP Enoch Powell in the mid-1980s, before working as a personal assistant to the former Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader James Molyneaux.

After Lord Molyneaux retired as an MP in 1997, Mr Donaldson was voted as his successor as MP for Lagan Valley, retaining the seat through six subsequent elections.

He is a member of the Orange Order and also served as a corporal in the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) during The Troubles.

In 2003, following long-standing opposition to the Good Friday Agreement and the leadership of David Trimble, Mr Donaldson announced he would leave the UUP, later joining the DUP, along with Arlene Foster and Norah Beare.

Jeffrey Donaldson was appointed to the UK Privy Council, a body which advises the monarchy, in 2007, and stood down as an MLA for Lagan Valley in 2010.

He was awarded a knighthood in 2016 for political service.

Sir Jeffrey was defeated by 19 votes to 17 in the DUP leadership election to succeed Arlene Foster in May 2021.

On Monday, Stormont finance minister and Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy accused the DUP of having "no intention" of delivering on commitments in NDNA.

This agreement brokered the return of power-sharing after three years of deadlock.

Mr Murphy told BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster programme that his party did not "want to box anybody in" but questioned the DUP's "credibility" if it could not deliver on the commitments.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood also said the next leader of the DUP cannot be allowed to "choreograph the collapse of the institutions at Stormont".

When Paul Givan resigns it will trigger a seven-day period for new nominations to the posts of first and deputy first minister, or the possibility of a fresh election.

Mr Eastwood said the "imminent resignation" of the DUP's first minister showed that the party intended to "manufacture another political crisis that will once again threaten our local institutions".

"In a desperate attempt to stabilise their own party, they are recklessly prepared to destabilise devolution," he said.

Potential new leaders must submit their nomination in writing, supported by a proposer and a seconder, to DUP chairman Lord Morrow by midday on Tuesday, with a result confirmed on Saturday.

Only Stormont assembly members (MLAs) and members of parliament (MPs) are entitled to take part if there is a vote.

In May's contest, Sir Jeffrey, who has been the MP for Lagan Valley since 1997, lost by 19 votes to 17 in the first DUP leadership election in its 50-year history.

Among the first tasks for a new leader will be a decision over the ministerial team appointed by Edwin Poots.

Paul Givan is likely to become the shortest-serving first minister of Northern Ireland when he is removed, while a new leader could have other plans for the education, economy and agriculture portfolios.