Mr Jeffrey Donaldson has stated that he is likely to make an announcement on his political future next week, against a continuing expectation that he will join the DUP.
The Lagan Valley MP said last night that he is currently holding discussions about his future with the DUP, with former colleagues in the Ulster Unionist Party, and with Assembly members Ms Arlene Foster and Ms Norah Beare who last month resigned with him from the UUP.
DUP sources believe that Mr Donaldson, Ms Foster and Ms Beare will take the DUP whip and accept the Rev Ian Paisley as their new leader, although Mr Donaldson said he could not make a definitive statement until these discussions were completed.
"I expect I will be making an announcement next week," he told The Irish Times. DUP sources said that announcement could come as early as Monday, and that they are confident the three MLAs will join the DUP, boosting its representation from 30 to 33 and reducing the UUP's Assembly strength from 27 to 24.
Mr Donaldson saw little prospect of his rejoining the UUP. "I don't see any possibility of that happening at the moment because David Trimble is determined to stay as leader. And there is no way that I could go back under his leadership."
Another option that formed part of the current discussions with the DUP was Mr Donaldson and his rebel colleagues remaining independent but in an alliance with the DUP, and being part of its negotiating bloc in the review of the Belfast Agreement that is to start this month.
Mr Donaldson added that were he to join the DUP he would have no problem accepting that party's disciplinary structure. "I have no difficulty being part of a team," he said. Mr Donaldson said it was the UUP that threatened to expel him from the party, and that the party divisions dated back to 1998 when Mr Trimble would not allow him to stand for the Assembly, and therefore banned him from membership of the UUP's Assembly negotiating team. "That was the real beginning of the split," he added.
The DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, made it clear that Mr Donaldson and his dissident colleagues could be welcome in the DUP. "In 2004 we will work to build a strong unionist movement," he said in a new year message.
"Not only are those who have been members of the UUP warmly invited to join the revitalised DUP team, but the invitation is extended to all those who have been unattached and can bring skills and talents to drive unionism forward.
"Many unionists have held back because of disillusionment and inter-unionist bickering. But what amounts to a realignment of unionism has occurred and a new order established. The old UUP is not the vehicle to take unionism forward," added Mr Robinson.
"Moreover, only an invigorated unionism can come through the negotiating process with an outcome that will be acceptable and workable. A strengthened DUP, confident, and earthed in reality, can force movement from republicans who are resistant to change and disinclined to part from their evil practices," he said.
Mr Robinson said that in 2003 a "paradigm change" had occurred in unionism and 2004 could be the year of a "unionist revival".
"We have for years been demonised and wronged. Everything British, unionist, loyalist and Orange has been despised and we have been pressed to apologise for our existence. The worm has turned. Our traditions, our culture, our beliefs, our ideals and our way of life need no apology and none will be offered," said Mr Robinson.
