The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) faced a challenging situation as a leak to the media about a party officers' meeting was described as a 'big blow' to their leadership's plans, according to @SuzyJourno. This leak upended the DUP's plans and put them at a disadvantage from the outset. The UK Government has expressed frustration with the DUP, with a source telling @adampayne26 that they have given 'the moon & more' to the party, indicating exasperation with the DUP's stance on the Irish Sea border and the Windsor Framework. The UK Government now views the situation as centered on DUP internal politics and is clear that there is no longer a negotiation on substantive issues. @JonTonge commented on the precarious position of DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, suggesting that a majority of one isn't sufficient for him. News Letter editor @BenLowry2 hinted at significant problems in Donaldson's desire to restore the Stormont government, mentioning a 'complete lockdown'. In the context of the stalled devolved government, Alliance Party deputy leader @StephenFarryMP warned that the Irish government would have an increased say in Northern Ireland's affairs if devolved government is not restored. Despite these challenges, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson indicated the party is nearing a decision on whether to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland.
Stormont crisis: DUP meeting was not make or break - Sir Jeffrey Donaldson https://t.co/1PnQsPKM5A
🗣️ Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has finally indicated the party is ready to reach a decision on whether to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland https://t.co/bgJacuMHj3
The Irish government will have an increased say in Northern Ireland's affairs if devolved government is not restored, Alliance Party deputy leader @StephenFarryMP has said. #SundayPolitics @BBCNewsNI https://t.co/DzLhSvi2jN
"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
"The UK Gov is clear that, at this point, there is no longer a negotiation on substantive issues in regard to the Irish Sea border & the Windsor Framework." @adampayne26 says UK Gov sees this as all about DUP internal politics now. #SundayPolitics | @MarkCarruthers7 https://t.co/HQioC0ClRR
"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