DUP has yet to decide on its Executive seats

The Democratic Unionist Party has still to decide whether it will take up its two seats on the Executive.

The Democratic Unionist Party has still to decide whether it will take up its two seats on the Executive.

The party's ruling executive, with about 90 members, will meet this evening to discuss matters, but a spokesman said it was by no means certain they would reach a decision on the Executive seats.

Mr Peter Robinson, the party's deputy leader, said that as of midnight last night he would legally be a Minister in the Executive again. "I have no choice or option in that," he said.

He would not be going to his ministerial offices in the course of the day, not out of any policy decision but simply because party and constituency meetings meant "my schedule is bunged at the moment".

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At lunchtime today the 12 party officers will meet and decide on a recommendation for the party executive. "That's part of the fundamental review but there's a lot more to it than that," Mr Robinson said. "We are also looking at the role of our assembly committee members and committee chairs. It's about a lot more than Nigel Dodds and me."

If the DUP were to relinquish its seats on the Executive, Mr Robinson's and Mr Dodds's portfolios would pass to the UUP and Alliance.