The political situation surrounding the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and its leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, has been a focal point of discussion on the BBC's #SundayPolitics show. A critical meeting held on Friday, described by one source as a 'back me or sack me' moment for Donaldson, has led to speculation about the future of his leadership. If DUP officers support his push to restore Stormont, the Northern Ireland Assembly could reconvene as early as next week. However, if they do not, Donaldson might face resignation. The leak of the meeting to Stephen Nolan was seen as a significant setback for Donaldson, with commentators suggesting that it put the leadership at a disadvantage from the start. Moreover, a UK Government source expressed exasperation with the DUP, stating they have given the party 'the moon & more.' The internal dynamics of the DUP and their impact on the political landscape were analyzed, with comparisons drawn to David Trimble's leadership challenges and his decision that split his party.
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#SundayPolitics is now available on @BBCiPlayer - and will be repeated on BBC Two NI at 11pm. @MarkCarruthers7 @SuzyJourno @BenLowry2 @JonTonge @adampayne26 @StephenFarryMP @ClaireHanna https://t.co/MPYCzsFbmo
"I'm glad we have most of the Game of Thrones stuff out of the way. It is maddening that we are all in this crazy waiting room, and that the DUP's internal psychodramas are allowed to set the pace." @ClaireHanna @MarkCarruthers7 #SundayPolitics https://t.co/pCiat3nnHt
"We have given the DUP the moon & more", a UK Gov source told @adampayne26 'in a pretty exasperated fashion'. He told @MarkCarruthers7 some in UK Gov are frustrated with the DUP. #SundayPolitics | https://t.co/P5tbb0gmsz
"Jeffrey Donaldson is never going to get a job in sales....." @JonTonge says a majority of one isn't enough for the DUP leader. #SundayPolitics | @MarkCarruthers7 https://t.co/7w0I8eKdS6
"The fact there is a complete lockdown does suggest there is a very significant problem in the desire of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to get this (Stormont) back." News Letter editor @BenLowry2 #SundayPolitics | @MarkCarruthers7 https://t.co/JxvrnEYqHp
What went wrong for Sir Jeffrey Donaldson on Friday? @SuzyJourno says the leak to @StephenNolan that the DUP party officers were meeting was a 'big blow' and 'upended the leadership's plans'. "From the get-go they were at a disadvantage." @MarkCarruthers7 | #SundayPolitics https://t.co/WgSmLiP5oV
David Trimble took a decision which split his party. He was labelled a Lundy & harangued on the streets. Jeffrey Donaldson faces a similar big moment. Pushing the deal in a divided DUP is a high-stakes move, but not moving would make him a lame duck leader https://t.co/Av9IsJDMIu
#SundayPolitics is live on BBC One Ni & @BBCiPlayer now https://t.co/seufvFzrdz
Coming up on #SundayPolitics with @MarkCarruthers7 What happened at Friday’s DUP meeting? @SuzyJourno @BenLowry2 @JonTonge + @adampayne26 in London What should SoS do next? @StephenFarryMP @ClaireHanna We did invite the DUP 🔴Live at 10am on BBC One & @BBCipl | #BBCLauraK https://t.co/8gEcH94S97
🙋♂️ DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson’s decision to call a meeting on Friday was described by one source as “back me or sack me” If DUP officers back his push to restore Stormont, it could return as soon as next week... If they don’t, he could be made to resign https://t.co/bgJacuMHj3
Coming up tomorrow…. What happened at Friday’s DUP meeting? @SuzyJourno @BenLowry2 @JonTonge @adampayne26 has the view from Westminster. What should SoS do next? @StephenFarryMP @ClaireHanna . We’ve invited DUP too Join @MarkCarruthers7 at 10am #SundayPolitics | BBC One https://t.co/fnOgJ5UxPn