Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson last night (Sunday) refused to confirm fresh speculation that he is on the verge of joining the DUP.
According to reports yesterday, the former Ulster Unionist will announce next week that he is teaming up with Ian Paisley party – a move that will give the DUP six seats in Westminster – compared with the UUP's five seats.
The Sunday Times also claimed that Mr Donaldson will run alongside Mr Paisley as a DUP candidate in June's European elections.
The report suggested that Mr Donaldson's decision to join the DUP would prompt a fresh wave of defections from his former party.
So far, only assembly members Arlene Foster and Nora Beare have followed the Lagan Valley MP's example and resigned from the Ulster Unionists. It has also been reported that anti-agreement Ulster Unionist MPs David Burnside and the Rev Martin Smyth may be about to resign.
However, last night Mr Donaldson said he had received no indication that members of the UUP's parliamentary party or any of its assembly members were on the verge of resigning. But he did suggest that his defection to the DUP would result in some party members reconsidering their allegiance.
"The decision on whether to resign from the UUP is entirely up to the individual," he said.
"However, at grass roots level I am very much aware of discontent and I believe this will become apparent in the near future."
Mr Donaldson refused to confirm or deny whether he would be joining the DUP, but said discussions with the party were continuing and "nothing has been ruled out".
Responding to the reports that he would be running in the European elections on a DUP ticket, Mr Donaldson said such claims were "mere speculation".
