PRESS RELEASE : Statement from the Secretary of State following DUP Executive meeting [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 30 January 2024.

The statement follows the news that the DUP has accepted the Government’s proposals on the operation of the Windsor Framework.

Statement from Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, following a meeting of the DUP executive last night:

“This is a welcome and significant step.

“I am grateful to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and colleagues for the constructive dialogue over the past months and to the other political parties in Northern Ireland for the patience they have shown during this time.

“I am pleased that the DUP have agreed to accept the package of measures that the UK Government has put forward and as a result they are ready to return to the Northern Ireland Assembly and nominate representatives to the Northern Ireland Executive.

“Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said this is subject to the binding commitments between the Democratic Unionist Party and the UK Government – I can confirm that we will stick to this agreement.

“I now believe that all the conditions are in place for the Assembly to return, the parties entitled to form an Executive are meeting today to discuss these matters and I hope to be able to finalise this deal with the political parties as soon as possible.”