Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has rejected any suggestion of a DUP split as senior representatives prepare to elect a new deputy leader
Jonathan Buckley and Gavin Robinson are going head to head in a vote for the deputy leadership
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said the Democratic Unionist Party is in "healthy shape" ahead of the election for its new deputy leader.East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson and Jonathan Buckley, who represents Upper Bann in the Stormont assembly, are in the running to replace her.Ahead of the vote Sir Jeffrey said: "It's a healthy thing in a democratic political party that people have choice.
"It's a healthy sign that the DUP has young people like Gavin and Jonathan coming forward, wanting to take up senior positions." Sir Jeffrey rejected any suggestion of a split in the party, adding that he had worked hard as leader to build unity over the past two years."I don't detect any sense that this is about splits or division and it's not unusual in a political party to have competition for posts such as this," he said.The result of the vote will be ratified at a later date.
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