The DUP has agreed to return to power-sharing at the Northern Ireland Assembly, after two years of political deadlock following Brexit.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson last night confirmed that the party will restore the devolved assembly at Stormont if the Government passes new legislation.

The DUP has been boycotting the Northern Irish Asembly since February 2022, in protest at post-Brexit trading agreements whcih they argue has led to trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

It has been in protracted talks with the UK Government for years to come to an agreement which would restore power sharing.

Giving a statement last night, the DUP leader said: "In February 2022, the DUP withdrew the then-First Minister as a consequence of the imposition of the Northern Ireland protocol which did not have the support of elected representatives of unionism in Northern Ireland.

"We warned that the failure to deal with the protocol, its imposition without consent and its disruptive impact on the delicate political balance was leading to an unsustainable position.

"Having taken a strong and principled stance - we were able to bring the UK government and the EU commission to negotiations.

"We have worked with the UK government in recent negotiations to ensure that moving forward, Northern Ireland has the best possible chance to tackle its short term challenges and built longer term prosperity within the union.

"Our goal has been to secure the conditions that allow for the return of devolved government on a sustainable basis and where it can make a real and meaningful improvement in the lives of all the people in this part of the UK."