DUP chief Jeffrey Donaldson is set to brief party members on a potential £3 billion deal to restore power-sharing at Stormont, Northern Ireland's devolved legislature. The internal dynamics of the party are tumultuous, as revealed by a live feed of the secretive executive meeting by Donaldson's rival, Jamie Bryson. This comes just days after DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson declared the party united in the Commons. The current situation within the DUP, as they face a 'moment of decision' according to Donaldson, has led to a blame game reminiscent of the UUP under David Trimble. Some members are reportedly appalled by the leaks and are considering rallying behind Donaldson in solidarity. The unfolding events have also been described as the collapse of any remaining aura of invincibility around the DUP.
What unfolded tonight in spectacular fashion was not just the humiliation of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson by a man he thought he could outsmart, but the collapse of any remaining aura of invincibility around the DUP. ➡️https://t.co/8zzRkUhlx9 https://t.co/8zzRkUhlx9
A furious blame game is underway after Bryson thanks "senior" DUP sources for leaking most of tonight's crunch exec meeting I'm told some DUPers who'd naturally have been opposed to the deal are appalled — big Q: might they rally behind Donaldson in solidarity? Crucial hrs ahead
Donaldson briefing DUP members over Government proposals to end Stormont impasse https://t.co/pc1L7cnJcw
Emerging from 5-aside football to check in on how the DUP executive meeting is going… https://t.co/ZmF92wbUv4
I never thought the moment would come. But the DUP at tonight’s meeting is making the UUP under David Trimble look like a model of harmony, unity, control and sanity.
Incredible. The DUP secret meeting is being live tweeted 👇🏻 https://t.co/TKLnuf4Pwt
Just extraordinary: Days after DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson indignantly told the Commons the DUP was totally united, the party is so thoroughly divided that Donaldson's arch-rival Jamie Bryson has a live feed of tonight's secretive party executive meeting. https://t.co/BzIDAuFWhc
NEW: DUP Party Exec meeting live: JD just began speaking: Says negotiations are over, and DUP aren’t going to get anymore. Says we have reached moment of decision 1/
What’s happening w/ DUP? PolHome, like @jamesgould23, understands… Donaldson meets party executive tonight Expected to issue statement afterwards DUP councillor meeting (who aren’t on the executive) pencilled in for tomorrow Party leadership seemingly in briefing mode
Power-sharing breakthrough in Northern Ireland? DUP chief Jeffrey Donaldson calls meeting TONIGHT 'to push party to do £3billion deal on Stormont return' https://t.co/gkhE5RvatA https://t.co/Ogo5f1fwZj
DUP leader to brief party members on possible Stormont deal https://t.co/LijJILBmE5