Unionist Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson has defended a call for unity within unionism, after a DUP assembly member rejected the appeal as electioneering.

A group of senior unionists, led by former UUP leader Lord Molyneaux, at a press conference today called on unionist parties to sign up to a pact – branded the Stormont Principles – which is designed to iron out divisions between unionist parties.

The document, launched in association with the British-based Friends of the Union group, underscores the broad principles of unionist ideology.

However, the DUP's Ian Paisley Jr said that the call was made on behalf of the UUP with the May election in mind.

Mr Donaldson moved to defend the motives behind the unity all, describing it as a "genuine" and a "positive contribution".

"This is not party political, it's a genuine attempt by people who cherish the Union to see if there is common ground we can build on," he said.

He added: "Who within unionism can argue that unionism is stronger by the fact that we have six or seven disparate unionist parties who've got deep division within unionism? And our political opponents have been exploiting that division. There may be cynicism but I hope that people will adopt a more healthy attitude towards this."

Mr Donaldson said that the idea arose out of a Friends of the Union conference last year – before elections had been finalised.

(MB)