Election is a battle for Northern Ireland, DUP leader claims

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (centre) with DUP candidates for Strangford Michelle McIlveen and Harry Harvey (Brian Lawless/PA)

The forthcoming Assembly election is a battle for Northern Ireland itself, the DUP leader has said.

In an Easter message to party colleagues, Jeffrey Donaldson again claimed that a Sinn Féin victory in the poll would help it deliver on its objective for a referendum on Irish unity.