Democratic Union Party agrees deal to restore power-sharing to Northern Ireland

The Democratic Unionist Party has backed a Government deal to return to power-sharing in Northern Ireland, its leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has announced.

He said he would drop the blockade on devolution at Stormont once the Government implemented the various legislative assurances and other measures it has offered his party to assuage concerns over post-Brexit trade barriers.Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton Harris welcomed the step and made clear the Government would deliver on its end of the deal.

Sir Jeffrey told reporters in a post-1am press conference in Co Down that he had secured the “decisive” backing of the 130-strong party executive during a marathon meeting on Monday night.

He said party officers – a key 12-strong decision making body – had also “mandated” him to move forward on the basis he