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DUP holds Brexit meeting to discuss 'serious business'

 DUP leader Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds have been joined by MPs and assembly members at a Brexit meeting in Portadown
 DUP leader Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds have been joined by MPs and assembly members at a Brexit meeting in Portadown  DUP leader Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds have been joined by MPs and assembly members at a Brexit meeting in Portadown

Stormont Assembly members and MPs from the DUP are meeting in Portadown in Co Armagh to discuss the Brexit negotiations today.

Ahead of the gathering, the party's Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson said British Prime Minister Theresa May had repeatedly declared herself to be a unionist.

He warned: "She know the consequences if she walks away from that promise, not just for Northern Ireland, because of course she will open a Pandora's box in Scotland as well.

"I am sure the prime minister is well aware of the grave responsibility which lies on her shoulders."

He added: "We are simply reminding her, you are being torn at the moment between what we believe are your gut instincts and your sound principles on the union and at the same time the bullying, threatening behaviour of the EU.

"Go with your principles, go with your instinct, go with your responsibility to the people of the UK and show the EU negotiators the door."

DUP leader Arlene Foster, her deputy Nigel Dodds and other senior party members gathered for the meeting in Mid Ulster.

Mr Wilson added: "We are serious about ensuring that the unionist people of Northern Ireland are not in any way going to be affected by the narrow vision that the EU negotiators have in protecting their European project at the expense of the unity of the UK."

He said Friday's party meeting involved "serious business".

"The serious business is how we get through these current negotiations, live up to our promises to be a unionist party and protect the union."

Read more:

  • Arlene Foster warns of 'significant days for Northern Ireland' as Brexit talks intensify
  • Sammy Wilson warns British government of 'consequences' over Brexit plans

Arlene Foster said the DUP would stand by its red line on the constitutional and economic integrity of the UK "come what may".

Deputy leader Nigel Dodds suggested there could be "developments" over the weekend in the British overnment and Cabinet's own position on Brexit.

Mrs Foster said: "This is a very fluid negotiation, things are continuing to happen and therefore we felt it was necessary to be very clear that for us the one red line in relation to the UK is one that we will stand by come what may.

"It is very important for us that we keep the constitutional integrity of the UK but also the economic integrity, and that is the point that we have been making in Brussels, and indeed for Nigel and his team in London as well."