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DUP conference: Arlene Foster to reaffirm opposition to Brexit deal DUP conference: Dodds calls deal 'worst of all worlds'
(about 7 hours later)
DUP leader Arlene Foster will reaffirm her party's opposition to Boris Johnson's Brexit deal when she addresses her annual conference later. The union of the United Kingdom is "non-negotiable" in any Brexit deal, Nigel Dodds has said.
The party has said it will not support the arrangements for Northern Ireland negotiated by the prime minister as it "creates a border in the Irish Sea". The DUP deputy leader was speaking at his party's conference in Belfast.
It has argued the deal would damage the local economy and undermine the union. The party has said it will not support the Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland negotiated by Boris Johnson as it "creates a border in the Irish Sea".
He urged the prime minister to stick to commitments he made last year, when he said no Conservative government would support such a plan.
The party argued the deal would damage the local economy and undermine the union.
"I say it again clearly for those who have failed to listen… the union of this United Kingdom is non-negotiable," said Mr Dodds.
At last year's conference, Boris Johnson was the keynote speaker.
He told DUP members that no Conservative government should support a plan that would lead to differences between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Mr Dodds accused Mr Johnson and other government ministers of not knowing "what on earth" they had negotiated as part of the revised withdrawal agreement with the EU.
He said the plan, which would see NI businesses having to fill in exit declaration forms on goods going to GB, new checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea and extra administration, as "the worst of all worlds".
The North Belfast MP also said the DUP would not back down from opposing the deal.
"The coming days will not be easy, the pressures will be great," he added.
It's understood DUP leader Arlene Foster will reaffirm her party's opposition to Boris Johnson's Brexit deal when she addresses the annual conference later.
He has argued the deal would damage the local economy and undermine the union.
The DUP has said it will wait until Monday before giving its response to Mr Johnson's call for a general election.The DUP has said it will wait until Monday before giving its response to Mr Johnson's call for a general election.
The prime minister wants Westminster parties to agree to an election on 12 December.The prime minister wants Westminster parties to agree to an election on 12 December.
Mr Johnson announced his preferred date earlier this week after MPs rejected his plan to fast-track the Withdrawal Agreement Bill through the Commons within 36 hours.Mr Johnson announced his preferred date earlier this week after MPs rejected his plan to fast-track the Withdrawal Agreement Bill through the Commons within 36 hours.
On the eve of her party conference, Mrs Foster said the DUP will take the weekend to consider the prime minister's request for an election.On the eve of her party conference, Mrs Foster said the DUP will take the weekend to consider the prime minister's request for an election.
She told BBC Radio Ulster's Inside Politics programme that her party "did not fear an election" but that they still have to consider "if it is the right thing to do".She told BBC Radio Ulster's Inside Politics programme that her party "did not fear an election" but that they still have to consider "if it is the right thing to do".
The DUP leader added that Mr Johnson appeared at her party's annual conference in 2018 and made "very clear commitments", but has not "stood by those commitments".The DUP leader added that Mr Johnson appeared at her party's annual conference in 2018 and made "very clear commitments", but has not "stood by those commitments".
Analysis by Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI political reporterAnalysis by Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI political reporter
Last year, Boris Johnson was centre stage at the DUP conference and his relationship with the party seemed strong.Last year, Boris Johnson was centre stage at the DUP conference and his relationship with the party seemed strong.
One year on, the now-prime minister and the DUP are at odds over the government's Brexit strategy and there will be no Conservative MPs present at Saturday's conference.One year on, the now-prime minister and the DUP are at odds over the government's Brexit strategy and there will be no Conservative MPs present at Saturday's conference.
The party opposes the consent mechanism in the deal that would give Stormont a straight majority vote on continuing EU customs rules.The party opposes the consent mechanism in the deal that would give Stormont a straight majority vote on continuing EU customs rules.
This is Arlene Foster's fourth conference as party leader.This is Arlene Foster's fourth conference as party leader.
Expect Brexit, the ongoing Stormont deadlock and the possibility of a snap general election all to feature on the agenda on Saturday afternoon.Expect Brexit, the ongoing Stormont deadlock and the possibility of a snap general election all to feature on the agenda on Saturday afternoon.
The DUP entered a confidence and supply arrangement with the Conservative Party almost two and half years ago and helped prop up the minority government under Mr Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May.The DUP entered a confidence and supply arrangement with the Conservative Party almost two and half years ago and helped prop up the minority government under Mr Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May.
The DUP has met Mr Johnson many times since he became prime minister.The DUP has met Mr Johnson many times since he became prime minister.
At the start of this month, DUP members chanted his name when he addressed their fringe event at the Conservative Party's annual conference in Manchester.At the start of this month, DUP members chanted his name when he addressed their fringe event at the Conservative Party's annual conference in Manchester.
But the relationship soured on 17 October, when Mr Johnson struck a Brexit deal with EU leaders that the DUP said it could not endorse.But the relationship soured on 17 October, when Mr Johnson struck a Brexit deal with EU leaders that the DUP said it could not endorse.
All Northern Ireland MPs who take their seats in the Commons - the 10 DUP representatives and independent North Down MP Lady Hermon - opposed the government in votes over the EU withdrawal deal and an accelerated timetable to fast-track the bill through Parliament.All Northern Ireland MPs who take their seats in the Commons - the 10 DUP representatives and independent North Down MP Lady Hermon - opposed the government in votes over the EU withdrawal deal and an accelerated timetable to fast-track the bill through Parliament.