'This is historic for unionism': Paisley

Ian Paisley has described the defection of Jeffrey Donaldson and his colleagues from the UUP to the DUP as "an historic day for unionism''.

The North Antrim MP said: “This is indeed an historic day for unionism. It is a good day because it means simply the unionist people in Northern Ireland are going forward.

“They are not going back, certainly not going back to a table to get armed terrorists back into the government of Northern Ireland.

“There is one issue which we will not be renegotiating and that is the possibility of getting Sinn Féin/IRA back in the government of Northern Ireland. That is not for discussion.

“What is for discussion is a way forward democratically for those who have pledged themselves to a democratic way forward.”

Mr Paisley welcomed Mr Donaldson, Mrs Foster and Miss Beare to the DUP Assembly team and predicted further defections.

“I bid them welcome to the DUP,” he said.

“I believe this is the beginning of large numbers of people who always voted Official Unionist who are now going to join with us.

“I hope to shortly announce a recruiting drive across the province so we can enlarge our party and prepare for what is coming in the days of negotiations.”