TUV members put up 'sell-out' posters - Allister

Jim Allister has confirmed that members of his party were involved in putting up posters saying "stop DUP sell-out" across Northern Ireland.

The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader told the BBC's Nolan Show he was aware the posters were being printed.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson had accused the party of "shadowy behaviour".

One of the posters was erected outside his Lagan Valley constituency office in Lisburn overnight on Sunday.

It has since been removed.

"If you're negotiating with the British government, who are being hard nosed, and an EU which is being even harder nosed and you find a poster intimidating it doesn't fill one with confidence," said Mr Allister.

The DUP, Northern Ireland's largest unionist party, quit Stormont's coalition government 22 months ago over post-Brexit trade arrangements.

The posters appeared at the weekend, during speculation on whether the DUP were close to a deal to restore devolution at Stormont.

But by Monday morning the party had ruled out the prospect of an agreement before Christmas.

Stormont's main political parties met on Monday afternoon at Hillsborough Castle to discuss a £2.5bn financial package for Stormont if devolved government is re-established.

Mr Allister, who is the TUV's sole assembly member at Stormont, said the sellout posters "were a message to the DUP".

"I had knowledge that the posters were being printed, I had no idea where or anything else and I know that TUV members were involved and I know that they were involved because we are in touch with the grass roots," he said.

He said unionist grass roots were "concerned about being sold out again and that the protocol will not be removed".

Mr Allister described the posters as "a bit of political activism to which there's been a huge overreaction".

The TUV leader has previously said that if the DUP agreed a deal to return to Stormont, the party would be "betraying" the seven tests on future post-Brexit trade arrangements.

Writing on X, formerly called Twitter, Sir Jeffrey said those who put up the posters outside his office were captured on CCTV and that he would not be intimidated.

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

DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson said the posters were "designed to attack and smear Northern Ireland's largest unionist party". 

He said some people were focused on "weakening our collective strength as we negotiate with the UK government".

UUP leader Doug Beattie said the posters were put up outside the "family homes" of some DUP representatives.

"Whether they think its intimidatory or not, it is.

"I don't think these posters help in any shape or form," he added.

The TUV said on Sunday that the party "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 [Northern Ireland] Protocol," a spokesperson said.

Although there is no formal deadline for the talks at Hillsborough, the government had been working to secure agreement before parliament breaks for Christmas on Tuesday.

Any possible restoration of Stormont depends on key discussions about the Windsor Framework and how Northern Ireland trades with Great Britain.

In his email to his party on Saturday, Sir Jeffrey said he had been able to identify "legislative measures and potential actions that would be in keeping with our negotiating objectives".

But he said they would be "measured against the tests in our manifesto, and that work for Northern Ireland and our place within the United Kingdom".

As the party with the most seats at Stormont, Sinn Féin would be entitled to the role of first minister which was previously held by the DUP.

It has repeatedly called for the DUP to return to power sharing and on Monday its North Belfast MP John Finucane said it was time that Sir Jeffrey "showed political leadership".

"If he prevaricates and allows this to drift then that will be to the detriment of everybody in this society," he said.

Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry said there is "no excuse" for the DUP "dragging this process out".

Speaking on Sunday, Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said "as it stands right now" his party intended to re-enter the executive if a new one is formed, rather than go into opposition.

Following poor election results in May 2022 the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) is not entitled to a place in the executive and will instead enter a formal opposition.

"If we are there by ourselves we will do the job and we look forward to doing the job," said SDLP Assembly Member Matthew O'Toole.