DUP leader urges unionist cooperation ahead of elections

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said that split votes and lost unionist seats will take Northern Ireland in the "wrong direction", he told his party conference.

In his 40-minute address to the conference, his third as leader, Mr Robinson said he will "not be found wanting" around cooperating to maximise a pro-unionist vote.

Speaking at the La Mon Hotel, Newtownards, Mr Robinson said he wanted to work again with other unionist parties to get the largest number of pro-union candidates into the Northern Ireland Assembly.

It will be the last DUP conference before elections to the Assembly take place next year.

"Staying at home, or voting for parties that spend more timing attacking fellow unionists, and who have no plan, will deliver a weakened and divided unionism - and that is exactly what Sinn Féin hope for," Mr Robinson said.