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05/01/2004
Donaldson confirms move to DUP
Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson has confirmed that he is joining the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
Mr Donaldson was unveiled by his new party at a news conference in Stormont on Monday.
Joining him in the Dr Ian Paisley's party are fellow Ulster Unionist Party members Arlene Foster and Norah Beare.
Commenting on the acquisitions of the trio, Dr Paisley said: "They have taken a principled stand and have remained true to their core beliefs by resigning from the Trimble-led Ulster Unionist Party.
"They campaigned during the course of the recent election on the basis of forming a closer relationship with the DUP and other like-minded Unionists.
"Having recognised that their mandate to work for a new and better agreement for Northern Ireland could not be achieved from within the confines of the UUP they have taken the decision to join with us."
Mr Donaldson's decision to join Dr Paisley's party follows months of heated debate with Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble over the position of the UUP.
In June 2003, Mr Donaldson, alongside colleagues David Burnside and the Rev Martin Smyth, resigned the party whip claiming Mr Trimble failed to endorse his policy on the joint British-Irish declaration.
They claimed Unionism, led by Mr Trimble, had been "represented at the negotiating table in a weak and dysfunctional state".
Then following elections in November, Mr Donaldson questioned Mr Trimble's leadership after the DUP became the dominant unionist party in the province.
Today's move brings the DUP's strength at Stormont to 33, nine more than the UUP.
Mr Donaldson's defection to the DUP also makes it the largest Northern Ireland party at Westminster.
(MB)
Mr Donaldson was unveiled by his new party at a news conference in Stormont on Monday.
Joining him in the Dr Ian Paisley's party are fellow Ulster Unionist Party members Arlene Foster and Norah Beare.
Commenting on the acquisitions of the trio, Dr Paisley said: "They have taken a principled stand and have remained true to their core beliefs by resigning from the Trimble-led Ulster Unionist Party.
"They campaigned during the course of the recent election on the basis of forming a closer relationship with the DUP and other like-minded Unionists.
"Having recognised that their mandate to work for a new and better agreement for Northern Ireland could not be achieved from within the confines of the UUP they have taken the decision to join with us."
Mr Donaldson's decision to join Dr Paisley's party follows months of heated debate with Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble over the position of the UUP.
In June 2003, Mr Donaldson, alongside colleagues David Burnside and the Rev Martin Smyth, resigned the party whip claiming Mr Trimble failed to endorse his policy on the joint British-Irish declaration.
They claimed Unionism, led by Mr Trimble, had been "represented at the negotiating table in a weak and dysfunctional state".
Then following elections in November, Mr Donaldson questioned Mr Trimble's leadership after the DUP became the dominant unionist party in the province.
Today's move brings the DUP's strength at Stormont to 33, nine more than the UUP.
Mr Donaldson's defection to the DUP also makes it the largest Northern Ireland party at Westminster.
(MB)
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