DUP leader Donaldson hits out at members briefing against party

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader has hit out at some within his own ranks for briefing against the party.

In a letter to DUP members, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said it damages unionism and the party's electoral prospects.

The letter, first seen by the Belfast Telegraph, was emailed on Saturday.

In it, Sir Jeffrey said those who briefed against the party were doing so to "gain media coverage or advance their personal agenda".

Sir Jeffrey became DUP leader two years ago following a bitter split in the party over the toppling of Arlene Foster, who was briefly replaced by Edwin Poots.

The party dropped from largest to second largest party in last year's assembly election, with Sinn Féin becoming the biggest Stormont party for the first time.

The DUP had walked out of Stormont's power-sharing executive in February 2022 in protest against a Brexit deal which introduced new checks and restrictions on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

It has insisted new legislation is needed before it will end its boycott.

During his time as party leader, Sir Jeffrey wrote in the letter, he had sought to avoid "engaging in public bickering with fellow unionists", instead focusing on defending the union.

He went on to express frustration about fellow unionists "manufacturing" attacks on the DUP or other unionists.

"I use the term 'manufacture' as the attack will lack substance and be driven more by an effort to gain media coverage or advance their personal agenda than any desire to advance Northern Ireland," he added.

In some cases, "years of daily gutting each other on the airwaves" had had an eroding effect on pro-union voters, he added.

"Indeed, it drives many pro-union voters to stand back from getting involved in elected politics or voting in elections.

"This has cost unionism dear and helped pave the way for the success of our opponents."

All is still not well within the DUP.

Despite the party leader's insistence the wounds laid bare a few years ago have now healed, it is clear the deep divisions are still there.

As set out in his message to members, Sir Jeffrey is determined to face down those he accuses of briefing against the party.

He also raises the danger of further electoral damage with a Westminster election coming next year.

The timing of his warning is key as the party could soon have a big decision to make about a potential return to Stormont.

At some point the negotiations with the government will conclude with an offer on the table.

Then it will be for the party leadership to decide if the offer is enough to tempt the DUP back to Stormont.

That is sure to be a pressure point that those opposed to the leader may seek to exploit.

If so we can expect more secret briefings to the media just like the one leaked today.

Sir Jeffrey appeared to suggest unionist unity would be required in future elections, although he did not specifically mention pacts.

"Ultimately the goal of working together must be to maximise the vote of every pro-union voter on polling day," he wrote.

"It is frustrating that unionism could have had more seats in the last Assembly election if the transfer rate between unionist parties had been better. Division costs unionism seats and influence."