DUP decision on Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal not expected until April

Unionist party’s eight-member panel to take several weeks studying UK-EU protocol agreement

The DUP is not expected to decide whether to back Rishi Sunak’s post-Brexit agreement with the EU until April at the earliest, after setting up a special group to scrutinise the deal.

The unionist party revealed that a special panel will take several weeks to examine the details of the Windsor Framework, which is aimed at drawing a line under the Northern Ireland protocol row.

Sir Jeffrey made clear that the DUP will take its time to consider the deal before deciding whether to back it, lift its blockade of devolution and return to power-sharing with Sinn Fein at Stormont.