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DUP meeting to ensure party unity DUP must stay focussed - Paisley
(about 6 hours later)
The DUP leadership is holding a top-level strategy meeting following discontent in the ranks about aspects of the St Andrews Agreement. The DUP leadership has held a top-level strategy meeting following claims of discontent in the ranks about aspects of the St Andrews Agreement.
The meeting, which is being held outside Templepatrick, in County Antrim, is expected to last all day. The meeting was held on the outskirts of Templepatrick in County Antrim.
Speaking before the meeting, assembly member Ian Paisley jnr said the party should not "beat up on themselves". A party statement said it was "determined" that the government and republicans met all their obligations.
It added that a DUP delegation would "take forward the resolution of outstanding issues" with the prime minister in Downing Street on Tuesday.
The delegation, comprising of Ian Paisley, Peter Robinson, Nigel Dodds and Lord Morrow, "will press for an open and clear announcement and demonstration from Sinn Fein giving support for the PSNI, the courts and meeting all other obligations," the statement said.
Speaking before Friday's meeting, assembly member Ian Paisley jnr said the party should not "beat up on themselves".
He said they should stay focused and remember that the "real enemy are republicans".He said they should stay focused and remember that the "real enemy are republicans".
The meeting is being attended by MP's assembly members peers and party officers. Sources have told the BBC it is to ensure party unity. The meeting was attended by MPs, assembly members, peers and party officers.
It is the first chance senior party members have had to discuss the internal tensions which surfaced last Friday at the assembly when the DUP and Sinn Fein were asked for nominations to the first and deputy first minister posts. The party also met a delegation from the Church of Ireland on Friday whose primate, Lord Eames, seems to be leaning towards the DUP position on policing.
After the meeting, 12 DUP members signed a statement saying they had not taken part in a designation process. "The timescale to me are of secondary importance to the ultimate which is trust. At the end of the day, we have come through too much in this province for a quick fix," he said.
Sinn Fein said today they are prepared to play a full part in the Transitional assembly.
However, a huge question mark still exists over the possibility of power-sharing by the government's timetable of the end of March.
Friday's meeting was the first chance senior party members have had to discuss the internal tensions which surfaced last week at the assembly when the DUP and Sinn Fein were asked for nominations to the first and deputy first minister posts.
After the assembly meeting, 12 DUP members signed a statement saying they had not taken part in a designation process.
It insisted that the government must not take Mr Paisley's remarks in the chamber as a nomination to become first minister.It insisted that the government must not take Mr Paisley's remarks in the chamber as a nomination to become first minister.
Meeting bishops
The statement was signed by MPs Nigel Dodds, William McCrea, Gregory Campbell and David Simpson.
It read: "Given the total lack of movement on behalf of Sinn Fein on the issue of support for the rule of law, the courts and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, nothing that we have said or done today can be taken by the government as an indication that they can imply shadow, designate or any other status to anyone in relation to the office of first and deputy first minister."
It was also signed by Lord Morrow and his fellow assembly members Diane Dodds, Paul Girvan, Stephen Moutray, Nelson McCausland, Mervyn Storey, Tom Buchanan and assembly deputy speaker Jim Wells. It has since emerged that the signed statement has caused some ructions within the party.
Soon after its release, Mr Paisley released his own statement confirming he would accept the first minister's post after a spring election if all his conditions were fulfilled.Soon after its release, Mr Paisley released his own statement confirming he would accept the first minister's post after a spring election if all his conditions were fulfilled.
He also denied that the statement was an indication of a split within his party.He also denied that the statement was an indication of a split within his party.
BBC political correspondent Martina Purdy said: "Officially Friday's meeting is about political and election strategy, but it is doubtless also about finding a common position on power-sharing with Sinn Fein to ensure party unity.
"Some DUP sources say the friction is over the timing of power sharing and how long Sinn Fein should be tested on policing and other issues."
Before the meeting begins the party leadership will also meet a group of bishops from the Church of Ireland.