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Exclusive
All this week, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson`s authorised biography - the
tears, the battles behind the scenes
*Unmasked - The Ulster Unionist who plotted to overthrow leader David
Trimble*
Monday Sep 27 2004
by Stephen Dempster
DETAILS of a secret plot to remove David Trimble as Ulster Unionist
Party leader are revealed in today's News Letter.
The plan, involving senior members of the party, including long-time
Trimble ally Sir Reg Empey, is unmasked in a new book about the life of
MP Jeffrey Donaldson.
Not By Might, A Journey In Faith and Politics, written by Noel Davidson,
is serialised exclusively in the News Letter all of this week.
The coup attempt was in the advanced stages of planning, after a series
of meetings between leading figures in the Yes and No camps of the UUP
last year.
The book quotes from a 17-page document prepared for the rebels by Sir
Reg in which the man who is now UUP deputy leader offered a damning
appraisal of his party's inner workings, policies,' leadership and
general decline.
LEADERS of the Yes and No camps of the Ulster Unionist. Party hatched a
secret plot which came within a whisker of overthrowing David Trimble's
leadership last year.
The clandestine plans for a coup reveal that the scheme to oust Mr
Trimble came close to fruition in September, 2003.
Almost unthinkably, it involved leading figures from the bitterly
divided Yes and No camps.
Among the plotters were men who were once frontline Trimble allies - Sir
Reg Empey, MEP Jim Nichol-son and MLAs Danny Kennedy and Fred Cobain.
Also involved were anti-Agreement party members Mr Donaldson, MPs David
Bumside and Martin Smyth, former UUP leader Lord Molyneaux and he now
MLA, Arlene Foster.
It is believed other very senior party figures were kept abreast of the
scheme, though these people are not named.
Speculation about a plot was rife at the time but never confirmed.
The large group was linked by a belief that Mr Trimble could never unite
a party which was a "shambles" of an organisation, headed for electoral
catastrophe and following failed policies to which it was wedded.
Today, the News Letter can reveal for the first time:
. the detailed initiative to remove Mr Trimble as UUP leader
. the secret meetings that took place between Yes and No camp
representatives and
. how Sir Reg Empey was being positioned for the leadership but appeared
to lose his nerve at the crunch moment.
It was shortly after MPs Donaldson, Smyth and Burnside had been
suspended from the UUP but won reinstatement through a High Court ruling
that the plot began to take shape.
Not by Might recounts: "On July 31, Jeffrey was contacted by his
colleague, Danny Kennedy, MLA for Newry and Armagh. Danny wanted to
share with him, in confidence, a discussion paper on the future of the
UUP It had been prepared by a group of senior party members who had
previously supported David Trimble but now felt that the time had come
to consider a change of leader.
"Jeffrey had become aware of the existence of this group, for he had
already met Danny and Jim Nicholson, the party's MER at the Ulster
Unionist office in The Mall, Armagh, on August 22. 2002, almost a year
before.
"It was at that meeting when Jeffrey first heard the idea of a change of
leader mooted, with Danny and Jim advocating that they urge Sir Reg
Empey. whom they thought could bring some measure of unity to the
hopelessly divided party, to challenge for the leadership. Jeffrey had
rejected the idea then, arguing that a change in party policy was just
as important as a change in party leader, at that particular time."
One year on, Danny Kennedy said things had moved on and the
"Empey-for-leader undercover campaigners" had developed a set of
proposals and wanted to reassess party policy.
Mr Donaldson was pleased to note that the paper he was then passed
addressed the policy divisions between him and Mr Trimble.
The book relates: "In a section proposing the removal of Mr Trimble, the
paper proposed: 'It would be preferable that any change of leadership
should be managed without excessive rancour, and conducted in a proper
and civilised manner, without any degree of triumphalism'."
The paper went on to say that an agreed new leadership would tackle
existing political, policing, social and other problems.
It was open for debate and Mr Donaldson shared its contents with MPs
Smyth and Burnside, as well as Lord Molyneaux and Arlene Foster.
Because of holidays, the debate was slow to materialise but, on Tuesday.
August 26, the conspirators met in Mr Bumside's Antrim town constituency
office.
This time, Sir Reg was involved.
On his side of the table were Danny Kennedy. Fred Cobain and Fermanagh
councillor Tom Elliott.
On the other side: Jeffrey Donaldson, David Burnside, Arlene Foster and
Antrim councillor Adrian Watson.
It was recognised that "David Trimble's removal was an essential
prerequisite to healing the divisions in the party".
But there were differences of opinion still between the two wings of the
plot team: further work was needed to construct common policies and
there was a lack of consensus on who should be the new leader.
"Jeffrey and his team were far from convinced that Sir Reg was the
person to revitalise the party's flagging fortunes in the country."
When the meeting broke up. Sir Reg said he would come back with another
paper.
Three days later, Mr Donaldson received a phone call to his home from
Sir Reg, who said he had a 17-page document to send him which was a
comprehensive appraisal of the difficulties facing the UUP
"On the party leadership, Sir Reg concluded: 'Clearly, the (party)
officers are. like the rest of the party, dysfunctional.'
"Referring to the operation and control of Unionist Party headquarters
at Cunningham House, he observed that there is widespread disgust at the
shambles that is Party HQ'.
"He described the overall party organisation in a similar vein,
observing that 'our membership is ageing; women are not progressing
through to be public representatives and our youth wing is small and
ineffective'.
"It was Sir Reg's comments on the need for a more representative
negotiating team, though, that gave Jeffrey the clearest indication of
his growing disaffection with the existing leadership. In the paper, Sir
Reg stated bluntly: 'Trust within the party is simply not there.'
"In a clear indictment of David Trimble's standing as leader, he
commented: 'Neither republicans nor Her Majesty's Government will make
the necessary moves unless they believe they are negotiating with a
group of unionists who really can deliver.' "
Mr Donaldson and Sir Reg were engaged in further exchanges in an effort
to bridge gaps between them.
With only a couple of issues unresolved, the two wings of the group met
again on September 4 - two days before another vital Ulster Unionist
Council meeting in Belfast to debate the withdrawal of disciplinary
charges against Donaldson, Bumside and Smyth.
"Those present at this meeting in Antrim that afternoon believed Sir Reg
Empey regarded himself as the obvious choice (for leader), but Jeffrey
and his colleagues remained unconvinced.
"They were suspicious Sir Reg intended to use them to initiate the
downfall of David Trimble, whereupon he could step forward with clean
hands and present himself as 'the knight in shining armour' to rescue
the party from the brink of ruin."
The meeting broke up without agreement on a leader but with hope that a
contender would emerge at the UUC meeting on September 6.
Mr Donaldson and his colleagues saw the debate at the UUC gathering
unravel as expected, with much bitterness.
"This did not come as any surprise but what they saw as of greater
concern was the untypical silence of Sir Reg, throughout the debate. He
had spoken at all previous UUC meetings but sat motionless and mute.
"Jeffrey and his supporters took this silence to indicate a reluctance
to stand up and be counted when it really matters. He had proved
incapable of expressing in public to the UUC the worthy sentiments he
had appeared to have no problem expressing in private to a select few in
Antrim, a few days before.
"Jeffrey and the team who accompanied him to the meetings of the
previous weeks were well aware that an intervention by Sir Reg in
support of their position could potentially swing the meeting against
the party leader. In the absence of any such intervention, the two sides
voted and the result was similar to that of all the previous unpleasant
encounters, a narrow victory for David Trimble."
The plot to oust Mr Trimble had come close to a public assault on the
leadership but foundered on Sir Reg's silence and there were no more
secret meetings.
*Not By Might, A Journey In Faith And
Politics by Noel Davidson. Published by
Ambassador Publications. Available in
the shops from October 6, priced £16.99
Page 1 of 1
Jeffrey Donaldson
MultiQuote
#2
- LOL482
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- Group: Admin
- Posts: 4,048
- Joined: 23-June 03
Posted 06 October 2004 - 08:49 PM
Ulster Newsletter
www.newsletter.co.uk
Exclusive
All this week, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson`s authorised biography - the
tears, the battles behind the scenes
Tuesday Sep 28 2004
by Stephen Dempster
*Powell said that God was the only answer for Ulster*
"YOU know, Jeffrey, there's only one answer for Northern Ireland. That's
God."
These were the last words that the Lagan Valley MP heard his friend
Enoch Powell speak when he visited him in London in January, 1998.
One month later, the controversial, former MP was dead.
Powell was one of several mentors who significantly influenced Mr
Donaldson's political career and journey to Parliament.
The young unionist first met the man with the formidable, even fearsome,
international reputation in an Orange hall in Newcastle, Co Down in
January, 1983.
The 21-year-old had been encouraged to apply for the position of
Powell's election agent.
Despite his youth and the famed disposition of his 71-year-old
prospective boss, the pair immediately hit it off.
Mr Donaldson had the task of organising the campaign to get Powell back
into Parliament. Which he did.
He then became close friends with Powell and his wife, Pam.
The MP dispensed endless advice to his young protege, who recalls in Not
By Might the days spent in the Mournes together, talking politics and
religion.
"As Enoch Powell recounted many anecdotes from the past, Jeffrey began
to appreciate more fully what he had recognised on the first night he
had come face to face with him in Newcastle. Beneath a rather tough
exterior there lay a soft and feeling centre. It was only those who came
close enough to see that serious shell cracked open who realised that he
had a tremendous sense of honour.
"He had a razor-sharp humour and endless repertoire of jokes, some of
them even against himself, at which he would laugh heartily - even if
the punchline was beyond anybody else.
"Jeffrey Donaldson learnt a lot from working with, and often just
listening to, the South Down MP. When exposed to the breadth and depth
of Enoch Powell's intelligence and knowledge, he felt strangely
privileged. It was like being a young student who had been accorded a
prized place at the feet of an eminent philosopher or theologian."
Enoch Powell was among those who urged Jeffrey to run for Parliament.
However, less than a year after he became an MP, the Lagan Valley man
was to see his great mentor for the last time.
"The once dynamic and brilliant MP was by then very weak. On entering
the upstairs living room where Enoch was sitting in armchair in the
comer, Jeffrey noticed immediately how frail he had become.
"It was pleasant to reminisce about old times over a cup of tea but,
when Jeffrey saw the concentration was obviously making the weak man
very weary, he stood to take his leave.
"They had been discussing the progress, or lack of it, in the talks at
Stormont, just before he had risen to his feet. 'I don't want to stay
too long and tire you out,' Jeffrey said. 'I can see you are not feeling
great.' "
"Enoch Powell chose to ignore his friend's remark about his condition
but he looked up, his face pale and drawn, and fixed his gaze on the MP
he had helped groom for Lagan Valley.
" 'You know, Jeffrey, there's only one answer for Northern Ireland,' he
declared with the finality of a barrister submitting a conclusive
summing up of his case. 'That's God'. Those were the last words Jeffrey
was to hear his erstwhile tutor say."
Along with Powell, Mr Donaldson credited another former MP with being
instrumental in moulding him for Parliamentary life - Lord James Molyneaux.
The Lagan Valley MP has often turned to the ex-UUP leader for advice and
guidance in difficult times - including the moment before the Belfast
Agreement was finalised.
Unhappy with the deal, he called Lord Molyneaux who told him to set
everything else aside and "follow your conscience".
Another influence and mentor was Edgar Graham - a Young Unionist and
Queen's Law lecturer, who was also a close friend of David Trimble.
Like the other mentors, Graham was a Christian and experienced in the
political world.
Mr Donaldson regularly sought his advice until he was shot dead by the
IRA in 1983.
*Determined to help when he grew up*
IT was the murder of South Belfast MP Robert Bradford which, tragically,
inspired 18-year-old Jeffrey Donaldson to enter politics.
Mr Bradford was killed by the IRA in a community hall in Finaghy on
November 14,1981.
The news of his death broke at around teatime that day.
Having been touched by the Troubles and, given their UDR and RUC
connections, the Donaldson family was struck by the tragedy.
Not By Might says: "A sadly familiar sense of shock descended on that
living-room again. Other members of the family who had finished their
meal and dispersed to different parts of the house returned to assemble
in awestruck silence in front of the television.
"As news of the first Northern Ireland MP to be assassinated in the
Troubles spread across the Province, a sense of outrage gripped the
Protestant community.
"During all the unrest and tit-for-tat killings that took place in the
wake of Robert Bradford's death, Jeffrey Donaldson began to contemplate
the long-term implications of his murder? Who, he wondered, would take
his place? Would peace and stability ever return to the Province? What
was the answer?"
The questions took him back to his thoughts upon the death of his cousin
RUC officer Sam Donaldson.
The minister at Sam's funeral said: "It is well worth putting on record
that Sam Donaldson saw no future in the extreme policies of either side
in Northern Ireland. Those who offer extreme policies as a political
expedient, either in word or action, are saving that, to further their
ends, the Sam Don-aldsons can be sacrificed to the bomb or the bullet"
The young Jeffrey Donaldson heard these words but did not properly
understand. However, he had already come to realise there were two
"sides" in the Province and, in some way, this had led to Sam's death.
"He determined with a still childish but nonetheless single-minded
resolve that he would try to help the people of this divided country in
whatever way he could when he grew up."
>From this significant point onwards, events in Mr Donaldson's life
seemed to lead him towards a life in politics.
Growing up in a divided town like Kilkeel during the Troubles was an
influence.
He joined the Orange Order and the UDR - following a family tradition of
service La the security forces - which further led him to assess
Northern Ireland and its political problems.
But it was Robert Bradford's death that was the turning point.
"Just two weeks after the MP was shot, Jeffrey attended a meeting in
Kilkeel Orange hall and joined the Young Unionist movement at the age of
18."
He was soon gripped by politics and rose quickly through the ranks of
the UUP
First, he was elected chairman of Mourne Young Unionist branch in 1982.
In 1983, he became MP Enoch Powell's election agent and, in 1985, an
assistant to UUP leader Jim Molyneaux.
By 1986, he was a Northern Ireland Assembly member at the age of just 22.
He also became a UUP officer.
But it was not until the 1997 General Election that he became MP for
Lagan Valley, where he now has the biggest majority - over 18,000 - of
any politician in Northern Ireland.
*Policeman cousin slain by the Provos in 1970*
SAMUEL Donaldson was the first policeman to be killed by the IRA during
the Troubles.
He was also the first of the many relatives, friends, colleagues and
constituents that Jeffrey Donaldson lost to the republican terror campaign.
Every one of these deaths, he has said, had an impact on his own life
and led towards both religion and politics.
They also influenced him to become a tireless campaigner for victims'
causes in the Province.
Sam was Jeffrey's cousin and was killed in Crossmaglen, south Armagh in
August, 1970.
Jeffrey was seven years old and the moment his father, Jim, related the
terrible news of the murder to his family provides the emotional,
horrific, yet fitting opening for Not By Might - given the influence it
was to have on many aspects of the politician's life.
It was late on the morning of August 12 and Jeffrey, his brothers, James
and Andrew, sisters Diane and Elaine and their mother, Annie, were all
at home when Jim Donaldson appeared.
"Father's sombre figure in the doorway had imposed an instant
involuntary silence on the cosy domestic scene. An unusual, unnatural
unease descended on the room.
" 'What's wrong Jim?' Annie inquired.
" 'It's Samuel,' Jim said, his voice trembling with shock and virtual
disbelief.
" 'He and another policeman were blown up when they went to investigate
an abandoned car near Crossmaglen. We have just heard he died in Daisy
Hill Hospital in Newry this morning.'"
In the days after the killing, "young Jeffrey often found tears
trickling down his cheeks, as he heard the distraught relatives sobbing
incon-solably when describing Samuel's injuries".
" 'He must have taken the full force of it (the blast) in the face,' one
would say.
" 'Aye, that's right,' another would add.
'Apparently his sergeant didn't even recognise him when he arrived at
the scene at first'."
Jeffrey Donaldson heard these words and "soaked them up like a sponge".
Samuel was 23, a committed Christian, and his death and others have had
a profound influence on Jeffrey's life.
In the years to come, there would, sadly, be more significant deaths.
Among them was Jeffrey Donaldson's friend, Queen's University lecturer
and Young Unionist Edgar Graham - killed by republicans on the day of
Jeffrey's 21st birthday, December 7,1983.
Then, on February 28, 1985, an attack on Newry police station killed
nine RUC officers. Among them was Jeffrey's cousin, Chief Supt Alexander
Donaldson, Samuel's brother.
"AD these funerals were beginning to tell on the young political
activist," Not By Might recounts.
*Murdered MP An Inspiration*
http://www.newslette....uk/story/15385
Stephen Dempster
Tuesday 28th September 2004
Jeffrey Donaldson considered quitting politics as he struggled to
reconcile his life as both a politician and a committed Christian.
It was in February, 1988, that the Young Unionist found God.
While he was always religious and a churchgoer, it was at the funeral of
his friend Alan Johnston - murdered by the IRA - that the turning point
in his life came and both he and wife Eleanor decided to commit to Jesus.
Since then, his religious belief has been the cornerstone of the way he
conducts every aspect of his political and personal life.
Not By Might, A Journey Through Faith and Politics deals at length with
the MP's spiritual convictions and how these have both guided him and
provided solace in difficult times.
However, these beliefs have also led to moments of doubt and, initially,
the Lagan Valley man was unsure whether, as a Christian, he could
continue in politics.
By the late '80s, Mr Donaldson had been chairman of the Young Unionists,
an Assembly Member, honorary secretary of the UUP and had ambitions to
become an MP.
His biography tells how he questioned: "Was it right for a Christian to
be involved in politics?
"This issue often took over his thinking for
days on end and it was usually accompanied by a second, equally
significant consideration. "It was the idea that, perhaps, God had an
alternative, more spiritually productive plan for his life. It was a
struggle."
He considered a life in the ministry or fulltime outreach work but then
he would address a UUP meeting and people would tell him to keep up the
good work.
"One school of thought maintained that, since Christ had informed Pilate
one day that His kingdom was not of this world, His
followers should not become mixed up with this world's systems of
government. Politics was a dirty, messy business.
"Others disagreed. Totally. They would argue that, since Christ had also
commanded His disciples to 'occupy until I come', this meant that they
should live meaningful lives in every respect of society where they were
not called upon to compromise their Christian principles."
While conversations on the subject with others only confused him more,
he found some
enlightenment in a book about the life of a Unionist MP murdered by the
IRA, the Rev Robert Bradford, written by his wife, Norah.
He had read the book before and went back to it, remembering that the MP
had been a devout Christian.
"My role is to say harsh things at times," Mr Bradford once said, "but
to bathe the sharp sword of my words in heaven, to temper what I say
with love and to lead people from their folly to a life of fuller
service with the King."
Eventually, Mr Donaldson reached the conclusion that, if Robert Bradford
could do so much for his constituents while also fulfilling his
Christian duties, then why couldn't he, too.
"Jeffrey concluded that, as long as his heart was right and open before
God, with an honest desire to serve Him and put Him first in all things,
then there was nothing to hinder him continuing in political life."
Not By Might reveals the extent to which Mr Donaldson's beliefs are
incorporated into his life.
At many crucial moments, in the peace process, in Parliament, in his
personal life, he has prayed for guidance and strength. He is a member
of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship, a group of MPs which meets
regularly to pray and is involved with other religious associations.
www.newsletter.co.uk
Exclusive
All this week, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson`s authorised biography - the
tears, the battles behind the scenes
Tuesday Sep 28 2004
by Stephen Dempster
*Powell said that God was the only answer for Ulster*
"YOU know, Jeffrey, there's only one answer for Northern Ireland. That's
God."
These were the last words that the Lagan Valley MP heard his friend
Enoch Powell speak when he visited him in London in January, 1998.
One month later, the controversial, former MP was dead.
Powell was one of several mentors who significantly influenced Mr
Donaldson's political career and journey to Parliament.
The young unionist first met the man with the formidable, even fearsome,
international reputation in an Orange hall in Newcastle, Co Down in
January, 1983.
The 21-year-old had been encouraged to apply for the position of
Powell's election agent.
Despite his youth and the famed disposition of his 71-year-old
prospective boss, the pair immediately hit it off.
Mr Donaldson had the task of organising the campaign to get Powell back
into Parliament. Which he did.
He then became close friends with Powell and his wife, Pam.
The MP dispensed endless advice to his young protege, who recalls in Not
By Might the days spent in the Mournes together, talking politics and
religion.
"As Enoch Powell recounted many anecdotes from the past, Jeffrey began
to appreciate more fully what he had recognised on the first night he
had come face to face with him in Newcastle. Beneath a rather tough
exterior there lay a soft and feeling centre. It was only those who came
close enough to see that serious shell cracked open who realised that he
had a tremendous sense of honour.
"He had a razor-sharp humour and endless repertoire of jokes, some of
them even against himself, at which he would laugh heartily - even if
the punchline was beyond anybody else.
"Jeffrey Donaldson learnt a lot from working with, and often just
listening to, the South Down MP. When exposed to the breadth and depth
of Enoch Powell's intelligence and knowledge, he felt strangely
privileged. It was like being a young student who had been accorded a
prized place at the feet of an eminent philosopher or theologian."
Enoch Powell was among those who urged Jeffrey to run for Parliament.
However, less than a year after he became an MP, the Lagan Valley man
was to see his great mentor for the last time.
"The once dynamic and brilliant MP was by then very weak. On entering
the upstairs living room where Enoch was sitting in armchair in the
comer, Jeffrey noticed immediately how frail he had become.
"It was pleasant to reminisce about old times over a cup of tea but,
when Jeffrey saw the concentration was obviously making the weak man
very weary, he stood to take his leave.
"They had been discussing the progress, or lack of it, in the talks at
Stormont, just before he had risen to his feet. 'I don't want to stay
too long and tire you out,' Jeffrey said. 'I can see you are not feeling
great.' "
"Enoch Powell chose to ignore his friend's remark about his condition
but he looked up, his face pale and drawn, and fixed his gaze on the MP
he had helped groom for Lagan Valley.
" 'You know, Jeffrey, there's only one answer for Northern Ireland,' he
declared with the finality of a barrister submitting a conclusive
summing up of his case. 'That's God'. Those were the last words Jeffrey
was to hear his erstwhile tutor say."
Along with Powell, Mr Donaldson credited another former MP with being
instrumental in moulding him for Parliamentary life - Lord James Molyneaux.
The Lagan Valley MP has often turned to the ex-UUP leader for advice and
guidance in difficult times - including the moment before the Belfast
Agreement was finalised.
Unhappy with the deal, he called Lord Molyneaux who told him to set
everything else aside and "follow your conscience".
Another influence and mentor was Edgar Graham - a Young Unionist and
Queen's Law lecturer, who was also a close friend of David Trimble.
Like the other mentors, Graham was a Christian and experienced in the
political world.
Mr Donaldson regularly sought his advice until he was shot dead by the
IRA in 1983.
*Determined to help when he grew up*
IT was the murder of South Belfast MP Robert Bradford which, tragically,
inspired 18-year-old Jeffrey Donaldson to enter politics.
Mr Bradford was killed by the IRA in a community hall in Finaghy on
November 14,1981.
The news of his death broke at around teatime that day.
Having been touched by the Troubles and, given their UDR and RUC
connections, the Donaldson family was struck by the tragedy.
Not By Might says: "A sadly familiar sense of shock descended on that
living-room again. Other members of the family who had finished their
meal and dispersed to different parts of the house returned to assemble
in awestruck silence in front of the television.
"As news of the first Northern Ireland MP to be assassinated in the
Troubles spread across the Province, a sense of outrage gripped the
Protestant community.
"During all the unrest and tit-for-tat killings that took place in the
wake of Robert Bradford's death, Jeffrey Donaldson began to contemplate
the long-term implications of his murder? Who, he wondered, would take
his place? Would peace and stability ever return to the Province? What
was the answer?"
The questions took him back to his thoughts upon the death of his cousin
RUC officer Sam Donaldson.
The minister at Sam's funeral said: "It is well worth putting on record
that Sam Donaldson saw no future in the extreme policies of either side
in Northern Ireland. Those who offer extreme policies as a political
expedient, either in word or action, are saving that, to further their
ends, the Sam Don-aldsons can be sacrificed to the bomb or the bullet"
The young Jeffrey Donaldson heard these words but did not properly
understand. However, he had already come to realise there were two
"sides" in the Province and, in some way, this had led to Sam's death.
"He determined with a still childish but nonetheless single-minded
resolve that he would try to help the people of this divided country in
whatever way he could when he grew up."
>From this significant point onwards, events in Mr Donaldson's life
seemed to lead him towards a life in politics.
Growing up in a divided town like Kilkeel during the Troubles was an
influence.
He joined the Orange Order and the UDR - following a family tradition of
service La the security forces - which further led him to assess
Northern Ireland and its political problems.
But it was Robert Bradford's death that was the turning point.
"Just two weeks after the MP was shot, Jeffrey attended a meeting in
Kilkeel Orange hall and joined the Young Unionist movement at the age of
18."
He was soon gripped by politics and rose quickly through the ranks of
the UUP
First, he was elected chairman of Mourne Young Unionist branch in 1982.
In 1983, he became MP Enoch Powell's election agent and, in 1985, an
assistant to UUP leader Jim Molyneaux.
By 1986, he was a Northern Ireland Assembly member at the age of just 22.
He also became a UUP officer.
But it was not until the 1997 General Election that he became MP for
Lagan Valley, where he now has the biggest majority - over 18,000 - of
any politician in Northern Ireland.
*Policeman cousin slain by the Provos in 1970*
SAMUEL Donaldson was the first policeman to be killed by the IRA during
the Troubles.
He was also the first of the many relatives, friends, colleagues and
constituents that Jeffrey Donaldson lost to the republican terror campaign.
Every one of these deaths, he has said, had an impact on his own life
and led towards both religion and politics.
They also influenced him to become a tireless campaigner for victims'
causes in the Province.
Sam was Jeffrey's cousin and was killed in Crossmaglen, south Armagh in
August, 1970.
Jeffrey was seven years old and the moment his father, Jim, related the
terrible news of the murder to his family provides the emotional,
horrific, yet fitting opening for Not By Might - given the influence it
was to have on many aspects of the politician's life.
It was late on the morning of August 12 and Jeffrey, his brothers, James
and Andrew, sisters Diane and Elaine and their mother, Annie, were all
at home when Jim Donaldson appeared.
"Father's sombre figure in the doorway had imposed an instant
involuntary silence on the cosy domestic scene. An unusual, unnatural
unease descended on the room.
" 'What's wrong Jim?' Annie inquired.
" 'It's Samuel,' Jim said, his voice trembling with shock and virtual
disbelief.
" 'He and another policeman were blown up when they went to investigate
an abandoned car near Crossmaglen. We have just heard he died in Daisy
Hill Hospital in Newry this morning.'"
In the days after the killing, "young Jeffrey often found tears
trickling down his cheeks, as he heard the distraught relatives sobbing
incon-solably when describing Samuel's injuries".
" 'He must have taken the full force of it (the blast) in the face,' one
would say.
" 'Aye, that's right,' another would add.
'Apparently his sergeant didn't even recognise him when he arrived at
the scene at first'."
Jeffrey Donaldson heard these words and "soaked them up like a sponge".
Samuel was 23, a committed Christian, and his death and others have had
a profound influence on Jeffrey's life.
In the years to come, there would, sadly, be more significant deaths.
Among them was Jeffrey Donaldson's friend, Queen's University lecturer
and Young Unionist Edgar Graham - killed by republicans on the day of
Jeffrey's 21st birthday, December 7,1983.
Then, on February 28, 1985, an attack on Newry police station killed
nine RUC officers. Among them was Jeffrey's cousin, Chief Supt Alexander
Donaldson, Samuel's brother.
"AD these funerals were beginning to tell on the young political
activist," Not By Might recounts.
*Murdered MP An Inspiration*
http://www.newslette....uk/story/15385
Stephen Dempster
Tuesday 28th September 2004
Jeffrey Donaldson considered quitting politics as he struggled to
reconcile his life as both a politician and a committed Christian.
It was in February, 1988, that the Young Unionist found God.
While he was always religious and a churchgoer, it was at the funeral of
his friend Alan Johnston - murdered by the IRA - that the turning point
in his life came and both he and wife Eleanor decided to commit to Jesus.
Since then, his religious belief has been the cornerstone of the way he
conducts every aspect of his political and personal life.
Not By Might, A Journey Through Faith and Politics deals at length with
the MP's spiritual convictions and how these have both guided him and
provided solace in difficult times.
However, these beliefs have also led to moments of doubt and, initially,
the Lagan Valley man was unsure whether, as a Christian, he could
continue in politics.
By the late '80s, Mr Donaldson had been chairman of the Young Unionists,
an Assembly Member, honorary secretary of the UUP and had ambitions to
become an MP.
His biography tells how he questioned: "Was it right for a Christian to
be involved in politics?
"This issue often took over his thinking for
days on end and it was usually accompanied by a second, equally
significant consideration. "It was the idea that, perhaps, God had an
alternative, more spiritually productive plan for his life. It was a
struggle."
He considered a life in the ministry or fulltime outreach work but then
he would address a UUP meeting and people would tell him to keep up the
good work.
"One school of thought maintained that, since Christ had informed Pilate
one day that His kingdom was not of this world, His
followers should not become mixed up with this world's systems of
government. Politics was a dirty, messy business.
"Others disagreed. Totally. They would argue that, since Christ had also
commanded His disciples to 'occupy until I come', this meant that they
should live meaningful lives in every respect of society where they were
not called upon to compromise their Christian principles."
While conversations on the subject with others only confused him more,
he found some
enlightenment in a book about the life of a Unionist MP murdered by the
IRA, the Rev Robert Bradford, written by his wife, Norah.
He had read the book before and went back to it, remembering that the MP
had been a devout Christian.
"My role is to say harsh things at times," Mr Bradford once said, "but
to bathe the sharp sword of my words in heaven, to temper what I say
with love and to lead people from their folly to a life of fuller
service with the King."
Eventually, Mr Donaldson reached the conclusion that, if Robert Bradford
could do so much for his constituents while also fulfilling his
Christian duties, then why couldn't he, too.
"Jeffrey concluded that, as long as his heart was right and open before
God, with an honest desire to serve Him and put Him first in all things,
then there was nothing to hinder him continuing in political life."
Not By Might reveals the extent to which Mr Donaldson's beliefs are
incorporated into his life.
At many crucial moments, in the peace process, in Parliament, in his
personal life, he has prayed for guidance and strength. He is a member
of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship, a group of MPs which meets
regularly to pray and is involved with other religious associations.
#3
- LOL482
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- Group: Admin
- Posts: 4,048
- Joined: 23-June 03
Posted 06 October 2004 - 08:50 PM
Ulster Newsletter
www.newsletter.co.uk
Exclusive
All this week, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson`s authorised biography - the
tears, the battles behind the scenes
*Dilemma that led to tears*
Wednesday Sep 29 2004
by Stephen Dempster
THE divisions that would tear the Ulster Unionist Party in two began
amid soul-searching and tears, in the moments before the signing of the
Belfast Agreement.
Jeffrey Donaldson's biography reveals that at the llth hour on Good
Friday 1998, the party's negotiating team were split right down the
middle on whether or not to sign up to the peace accord.
They shared a deep collective dilemma over a deal which agreed to
prisoner releases and possible RUC reform but gave no cast-iron
guarantee of decommissioning.
In the pressure cooker atmosphere of the Castle Buildings talks venue
that day. Ken Maginnis - then MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone - openly
wept as he begged Jeffrey Donaldson to back the settlement.
The other political parties had given their backing to an historic
settlement in Ulster and the British Government was pressing the UUP for
its yes to the Agreement too.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President Bill Clinton both intervened
as the UUP struggled with their decision - locked in a room, so
officials could not contact them.
As the whole world waited, unionist politicians were in turmoil -
knowing that peace lay in their hands.
Not By Might recalls the tension and drama as talks went on through the
night and into the early morning of Good Friday.
Around 3am, David Trimble, John Taylor and Reg Empey returned to the UUP
'base camp' room to say they had reached agreement with the SDLP on a
form of devolved government.
There were, David Trimble explained, other issues to be resolved but he
felt that it would be best to leave these to the two governments to sort
out.
Not By Might says: "The party leader then left to cross to the nearby
Stormont Hotel, where he hoped to snatch a few hours' sleep.
"Jeffrey, however, was still worried about these unresolved issues and
too keyed up to even contemplate going to bed. He was well aware that
such matters as the decommissioning of terrorist weapons, the policing
issue and Sinn Fein demands for prisoner releases, had the potential to
create enormous difficulties for unionists.
"When he learnt, towards daybreak, that the Sinn Fein delegation was
still in negotiations with both governments, and they had at one stage
threatened to pack their bags and go home if some of their demands were
not met, he felt increasingly ill at ease.
"At 6.30am Jeffrey decided to take and hour or two out and go home to
Moira for a wash and change of clothes."
When he returned, US Senator George Mitchell was promising the parties a
final draft of the Agreement to read through.
"David Trimble arranged for each member of his negotiating team to have
a copy of the prepared text (of the deal). They were instructed to find
a quiet place where they could read through it from cover to cover.
"Jeffrey Donaldson went off to a small meeting room .... shut himself
in, alone, and feeling the burden of the moment, prayed for guidance and
discernment before beginning to read."
The MP felt the responsibility to the people he represented.
Not By Might remembers his thoughts: "What would they think about it if
they had the opportunity to read it?
"When he came to the section on policing, his mind went back to the
deaths of his two cousins and those of (Lurgan officers) David Johnston
and John Graham less than a year before. What would their families think
of this? Or, indeed, the current serving officers, many of whom had
faced death or sustained injury over the previous 30 years. How would
they react to the potential demise of the revered Royal Ulster Constabulary?
"The question of prisoner releases caused him considerable concern too.
There were no guarantees that the paramilitaries would disarm in return.
"The Agreement he was reading through served only to provide him with
difficult questions rather than satisfactory answers. He felt it was
creating, rather than solving, problems for the unionist community.
"When the team members had been given ample time to study the Agreement,
David Trimble summoned them together again for a crucial session."
The group outlined a list of reservations and it was decided to request
a meeting with the Prime Minister to express these.
Tony Blair was dogmatic that the text of the Agreement could not be
altered because the other parties would withhold support.
But he produced a letter, addressed to Mr Trimble, which he believed
tackled UUP demands for sanctions if republicans did not begin to disarm.
The PM promised that, should decommissioning not happen and agreement to
oust Sinn Fein from government proved unattainable, the Government would
act to have the party removed from office.
The letter added that the Government's view was that decommissioning
should begin straightaway - in the summer of 1998.
"The party leader was clearly inclined to accept the letter as an
assurance that all would be well in the days to come. He appeared ready
to join the other parties in giving a final assent to the Agreement and
tried eagerly to persuade his dubious colleagues that the letter should
allow them, as a party, to overcome their perceived concerns.
"Tension had begun to mount, both inside and outside the room.
"Having been interrupted so often in the earlier stage of the critical
discussions by government officials, anxious to know if they had reached
a consensus of opinion, the delegates locked the door. This didn't stop
the interruptions though.
"Jonathan Powell (the PM's chief-of-staff) rapped on the door
periodically, and when this evoked no response from those closeted
inside he began to shove notes under the door. These, too, were largely
ignored."
Outside no one could understand why this small group of politicians
could choose to be so unaccommodating as to hold up their 'historic
announcement'.
"The reason was simple. Deadlock had been reached. Some of the team were
inclined towards David Trimble's views and the others shared the
concerns that Jeffrey had previously articulated. The pressures had
risen to the highest level ever."
Just when it seemed that "matters were approaching a supercharged
stalemate", a request came for David Trimble to take a phone call from
President Bill Clinton.
The meeting was adjourned and during the breather, Ken Maginnis asked
Jeffrey for a private chat in a side room.
"It was an emotional encounter because both had served in the UDR and
both lost friends and comrades as a result of terrorist violence. Ken
Maginnis identified with Jeffrey's 'understandable concerns' but
implored him to set them aside and back the leader nonetheless.
"At one point he broke down in tears as he begged him to consider his
position very carefully for the sake of party unity."
Jeffrey appreciated the argument, but responded: "Look Ken, that is all
very well, but my conscience is more important to me than party unity.
"How can I leave this building and go out to walk the streets of Lisburn
or Moira and look the people I represent in the eye and tell them this
is a good agreement when I am sure it isn't?
"How can I urge them to support something which I believe in my heart to
be fundamentally flawed? How can I?"
As they awaited the party leader, Jeffrey was in a dilemma and phoned
his friend and men-tor, former UUP leader Jim Molyneaux.
"You've got to be true to your conscience Jeffrey," he said.
"It wasn't long before David Trimble reconvened his team and it soon
became evident that he had changed!
his tack. Someone out there had been putting pressure on him to deliver
his party's response."
He sought the views of his party officers and then announced he would go
around the table one last time for a recorded vote - "It was a
straightforward Yes or 1
No to the Agreement.
"On doing this, David Trimble secured a majority by the narrowest
possible margin as the divided party officers gave their assent to the
final agreement on a split vote.
"Suddenly, it was all business in the room where the atmosphere had been
so terribly strained just a few minutes before. The dramatic and
draining day's discussions came to a rather abrupt conclusion."
As the leader then prepared to lead his delegation to the conference
room to join the other parties, he asked Jeffrey was he coming too.
" 'No. Leave me out this time David,' Jeffrey replied, 'You know that I
do not approve of what you are doing. It would be farcical of me to
endorse the Agreement.
"David Trimble merely shrugged his shoulders before leaving to go upstairs."
Jeffrey Donaldson drove home and listened to the car radio as the
parties spoke to the world. Senator Mitchell said the parties "deserved
the gratitude of their people and the just verdict of history".
"What will history's verdict be on my decision?" Jeffrey Donaldson wondered.
"What kind of price am I going to have to pay for obeying my conscience?"
*Holiday call that came as a shock*
JEFFREY Donaldson was shocked to receive a phone call to his mobile from
the British Prime Minister on the Easter Sunday after the Agreement was
signed.
As a backbencher in Parliament, the Lagan Valley MP could expect little
or no contact with Tony Blair - let alone a personal call.
Jeffrey was on a break in London with his wife Eleanor and children, and
was not expecting any calls as most people were on holiday. He was
reading the Sunday newspapers and had noted that Tony Blair had flown to
Spain for a short holiday.
When his phone rang "a lady announced in a polite voice: 'This is
Downing Street, can you take a call from the Prime Minister?1"
Not By Might recounts: "Jeffrey was conscious that his throat had all of
a sudden dried up as, in shock, he stammered out his response, , jl
which was, 'Yes of course I can'."
Then a familiar voice came on the line.
"It was indeed the Prime Minister who greeted him in surprisingly
friendly terms, considering that the last time they had met was in a
stern encounter at Stormont the previous Friday."
After some pleasantries, Mr Blair got to the point - he was worried
about the unionist rift and asked: "And so, Jeffrey, what are your main
concerns about this Agreement?"
The worries were outlined and the PM agreed to consider them and
suggested they meet after Easter for a further chat.
The young MP, who came from the little fishing village of Kilkeel, Co
Down, could not believe that one of the most important men in the world
had phoned him.
*Friends ... and then the cold shoulder*
PEOPLE who were once friendly towards Jeffrey Donaldson ignored and
shunned him after he refused to sign up to the Agreement.
And he also suffered a crisis of conscience in the days and weeks after
the deal - questioning himself: "How can a committed Christian be
against peace?"
The Lagan Valley MP became one of the faces of anti-Agreement unionism
and was criticised and vilified for his view.
His post-bag was overflowing with correspondence - some supportive, some
critical.
He sought to answer as many letters personally as he could.
He would be confronted on the street, at functions, anywhere and
everywhere, by people challenging him or congratulating him.
On a flight to London a Belfast businessman took him to task, claiming
that the Agreement was good for the economy and well-being of the people
of Northern Ireland.
On other flights, people who once waved and said hello bowed their heads.
He became concerned at how many people in his constituency shared his
critics' views.
Worse for him, as a Christian, were the letters from fellow Christians
questioning his viewpoint.
Not By Might notes the usual argument was: "Christians all over the
world have been praying for years that God would bring peace to Northern
Ireland. Now that their prayers have been answered, how can you as a
Christian justify opposing the Agreement which will deliver that
long-awaited peace?"
In responding, Jeffrey noted that Jesus had once opposed what he thought
was wrong for his people and the MP was following his conscience in a
similar way.
"How, he reflected afterwards, could a man who enjoyed lasting, inner
peace with God, and who yearned for that same peace to descend on his
native Province, be seen to disrupt the peace?
"He was a Christian. And he definitely was not against peace," Not By
Might argues.
www.newsletter.co.uk
Exclusive
All this week, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson`s authorised biography - the
tears, the battles behind the scenes
*Dilemma that led to tears*
Wednesday Sep 29 2004
by Stephen Dempster
THE divisions that would tear the Ulster Unionist Party in two began
amid soul-searching and tears, in the moments before the signing of the
Belfast Agreement.
Jeffrey Donaldson's biography reveals that at the llth hour on Good
Friday 1998, the party's negotiating team were split right down the
middle on whether or not to sign up to the peace accord.
They shared a deep collective dilemma over a deal which agreed to
prisoner releases and possible RUC reform but gave no cast-iron
guarantee of decommissioning.
In the pressure cooker atmosphere of the Castle Buildings talks venue
that day. Ken Maginnis - then MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone - openly
wept as he begged Jeffrey Donaldson to back the settlement.
The other political parties had given their backing to an historic
settlement in Ulster and the British Government was pressing the UUP for
its yes to the Agreement too.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President Bill Clinton both intervened
as the UUP struggled with their decision - locked in a room, so
officials could not contact them.
As the whole world waited, unionist politicians were in turmoil -
knowing that peace lay in their hands.
Not By Might recalls the tension and drama as talks went on through the
night and into the early morning of Good Friday.
Around 3am, David Trimble, John Taylor and Reg Empey returned to the UUP
'base camp' room to say they had reached agreement with the SDLP on a
form of devolved government.
There were, David Trimble explained, other issues to be resolved but he
felt that it would be best to leave these to the two governments to sort
out.
Not By Might says: "The party leader then left to cross to the nearby
Stormont Hotel, where he hoped to snatch a few hours' sleep.
"Jeffrey, however, was still worried about these unresolved issues and
too keyed up to even contemplate going to bed. He was well aware that
such matters as the decommissioning of terrorist weapons, the policing
issue and Sinn Fein demands for prisoner releases, had the potential to
create enormous difficulties for unionists.
"When he learnt, towards daybreak, that the Sinn Fein delegation was
still in negotiations with both governments, and they had at one stage
threatened to pack their bags and go home if some of their demands were
not met, he felt increasingly ill at ease.
"At 6.30am Jeffrey decided to take and hour or two out and go home to
Moira for a wash and change of clothes."
When he returned, US Senator George Mitchell was promising the parties a
final draft of the Agreement to read through.
"David Trimble arranged for each member of his negotiating team to have
a copy of the prepared text (of the deal). They were instructed to find
a quiet place where they could read through it from cover to cover.
"Jeffrey Donaldson went off to a small meeting room .... shut himself
in, alone, and feeling the burden of the moment, prayed for guidance and
discernment before beginning to read."
The MP felt the responsibility to the people he represented.
Not By Might remembers his thoughts: "What would they think about it if
they had the opportunity to read it?
"When he came to the section on policing, his mind went back to the
deaths of his two cousins and those of (Lurgan officers) David Johnston
and John Graham less than a year before. What would their families think
of this? Or, indeed, the current serving officers, many of whom had
faced death or sustained injury over the previous 30 years. How would
they react to the potential demise of the revered Royal Ulster Constabulary?
"The question of prisoner releases caused him considerable concern too.
There were no guarantees that the paramilitaries would disarm in return.
"The Agreement he was reading through served only to provide him with
difficult questions rather than satisfactory answers. He felt it was
creating, rather than solving, problems for the unionist community.
"When the team members had been given ample time to study the Agreement,
David Trimble summoned them together again for a crucial session."
The group outlined a list of reservations and it was decided to request
a meeting with the Prime Minister to express these.
Tony Blair was dogmatic that the text of the Agreement could not be
altered because the other parties would withhold support.
But he produced a letter, addressed to Mr Trimble, which he believed
tackled UUP demands for sanctions if republicans did not begin to disarm.
The PM promised that, should decommissioning not happen and agreement to
oust Sinn Fein from government proved unattainable, the Government would
act to have the party removed from office.
The letter added that the Government's view was that decommissioning
should begin straightaway - in the summer of 1998.
"The party leader was clearly inclined to accept the letter as an
assurance that all would be well in the days to come. He appeared ready
to join the other parties in giving a final assent to the Agreement and
tried eagerly to persuade his dubious colleagues that the letter should
allow them, as a party, to overcome their perceived concerns.
"Tension had begun to mount, both inside and outside the room.
"Having been interrupted so often in the earlier stage of the critical
discussions by government officials, anxious to know if they had reached
a consensus of opinion, the delegates locked the door. This didn't stop
the interruptions though.
"Jonathan Powell (the PM's chief-of-staff) rapped on the door
periodically, and when this evoked no response from those closeted
inside he began to shove notes under the door. These, too, were largely
ignored."
Outside no one could understand why this small group of politicians
could choose to be so unaccommodating as to hold up their 'historic
announcement'.
"The reason was simple. Deadlock had been reached. Some of the team were
inclined towards David Trimble's views and the others shared the
concerns that Jeffrey had previously articulated. The pressures had
risen to the highest level ever."
Just when it seemed that "matters were approaching a supercharged
stalemate", a request came for David Trimble to take a phone call from
President Bill Clinton.
The meeting was adjourned and during the breather, Ken Maginnis asked
Jeffrey for a private chat in a side room.
"It was an emotional encounter because both had served in the UDR and
both lost friends and comrades as a result of terrorist violence. Ken
Maginnis identified with Jeffrey's 'understandable concerns' but
implored him to set them aside and back the leader nonetheless.
"At one point he broke down in tears as he begged him to consider his
position very carefully for the sake of party unity."
Jeffrey appreciated the argument, but responded: "Look Ken, that is all
very well, but my conscience is more important to me than party unity.
"How can I leave this building and go out to walk the streets of Lisburn
or Moira and look the people I represent in the eye and tell them this
is a good agreement when I am sure it isn't?
"How can I urge them to support something which I believe in my heart to
be fundamentally flawed? How can I?"
As they awaited the party leader, Jeffrey was in a dilemma and phoned
his friend and men-tor, former UUP leader Jim Molyneaux.
"You've got to be true to your conscience Jeffrey," he said.
"It wasn't long before David Trimble reconvened his team and it soon
became evident that he had changed!
his tack. Someone out there had been putting pressure on him to deliver
his party's response."
He sought the views of his party officers and then announced he would go
around the table one last time for a recorded vote - "It was a
straightforward Yes or 1
No to the Agreement.
"On doing this, David Trimble secured a majority by the narrowest
possible margin as the divided party officers gave their assent to the
final agreement on a split vote.
"Suddenly, it was all business in the room where the atmosphere had been
so terribly strained just a few minutes before. The dramatic and
draining day's discussions came to a rather abrupt conclusion."
As the leader then prepared to lead his delegation to the conference
room to join the other parties, he asked Jeffrey was he coming too.
" 'No. Leave me out this time David,' Jeffrey replied, 'You know that I
do not approve of what you are doing. It would be farcical of me to
endorse the Agreement.
"David Trimble merely shrugged his shoulders before leaving to go upstairs."
Jeffrey Donaldson drove home and listened to the car radio as the
parties spoke to the world. Senator Mitchell said the parties "deserved
the gratitude of their people and the just verdict of history".
"What will history's verdict be on my decision?" Jeffrey Donaldson wondered.
"What kind of price am I going to have to pay for obeying my conscience?"
*Holiday call that came as a shock*
JEFFREY Donaldson was shocked to receive a phone call to his mobile from
the British Prime Minister on the Easter Sunday after the Agreement was
signed.
As a backbencher in Parliament, the Lagan Valley MP could expect little
or no contact with Tony Blair - let alone a personal call.
Jeffrey was on a break in London with his wife Eleanor and children, and
was not expecting any calls as most people were on holiday. He was
reading the Sunday newspapers and had noted that Tony Blair had flown to
Spain for a short holiday.
When his phone rang "a lady announced in a polite voice: 'This is
Downing Street, can you take a call from the Prime Minister?1"
Not By Might recounts: "Jeffrey was conscious that his throat had all of
a sudden dried up as, in shock, he stammered out his response, , jl
which was, 'Yes of course I can'."
Then a familiar voice came on the line.
"It was indeed the Prime Minister who greeted him in surprisingly
friendly terms, considering that the last time they had met was in a
stern encounter at Stormont the previous Friday."
After some pleasantries, Mr Blair got to the point - he was worried
about the unionist rift and asked: "And so, Jeffrey, what are your main
concerns about this Agreement?"
The worries were outlined and the PM agreed to consider them and
suggested they meet after Easter for a further chat.
The young MP, who came from the little fishing village of Kilkeel, Co
Down, could not believe that one of the most important men in the world
had phoned him.
*Friends ... and then the cold shoulder*
PEOPLE who were once friendly towards Jeffrey Donaldson ignored and
shunned him after he refused to sign up to the Agreement.
And he also suffered a crisis of conscience in the days and weeks after
the deal - questioning himself: "How can a committed Christian be
against peace?"
The Lagan Valley MP became one of the faces of anti-Agreement unionism
and was criticised and vilified for his view.
His post-bag was overflowing with correspondence - some supportive, some
critical.
He sought to answer as many letters personally as he could.
He would be confronted on the street, at functions, anywhere and
everywhere, by people challenging him or congratulating him.
On a flight to London a Belfast businessman took him to task, claiming
that the Agreement was good for the economy and well-being of the people
of Northern Ireland.
On other flights, people who once waved and said hello bowed their heads.
He became concerned at how many people in his constituency shared his
critics' views.
Worse for him, as a Christian, were the letters from fellow Christians
questioning his viewpoint.
Not By Might notes the usual argument was: "Christians all over the
world have been praying for years that God would bring peace to Northern
Ireland. Now that their prayers have been answered, how can you as a
Christian justify opposing the Agreement which will deliver that
long-awaited peace?"
In responding, Jeffrey noted that Jesus had once opposed what he thought
was wrong for his people and the MP was following his conscience in a
similar way.
"How, he reflected afterwards, could a man who enjoyed lasting, inner
peace with God, and who yearned for that same peace to descend on his
native Province, be seen to disrupt the peace?
"He was a Christian. And he definitely was not against peace," Not By
Might argues.
#4
- LOL482
-
- Group: Admin
- Posts: 4,048
- Joined: 23-June 03
Posted 06 October 2004 - 08:50 PM
Ulster Newsletter
www.newsletter.co.uk
Exclusive
All this week, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson`s authorised biography - the
tears, the battles behind the scenes
*Stunned and deeply hurt, he resigned*
Thursday Sep 30th 2004
by Stephen Dempster
THE most traumatic and bitter political meeting Jeffrey Donaldson has
ever experienced led to him quitting the UUP and joining the DUE
The UUP executive gathered on December 5,2003, to focus on the
disastrous Assembly election result of the week before, which saw the
party fall behind the DUE
During the discussion, it became obvious that - contrary to some
expectations - David Trimble had no intention of resigning or altering
his polices towards the peace process and Belfast Agreement.
Not By Might recalls: "The leader resolutely refused to accept that the
party's dismal showing in the election represented a withering verdict
by the unionist electorate on either his leadership or the Agreement. He
dismissed the DUP electoral success as of no consequence.
"He informed the officers that he intended to speak privately to the
Prime Minister in an attempt to minimise the scope of the review of the
Agreement so that the DUP would be unable to deliver the changes they
had promised.
"Jeffrey was horrified at this. He saw it as a betrayal of the people
whom he represented and, indeed, the entire unionist community. Instead
of seeking to accommodate their wishes, expressed so clearly at the
ballot box, the party leader was scheming unashamedly to ensure they
were thwarted."
Then, with this debate out of the way, party chairman James Copper
informed the meeting that he had received a total of 78 letters from
party members calling for Jeffrey Donaldson to be expelled.
A representative sample of the letters were read out. Jeffrey recognised
many names as being those of his arch-opponents and believed an
orchestrated campaign had taken place and many letters were duplicates,
simply signed by different people.
"A stormy debate followed the reading of that collection of hastily
organised and mobilised sheaf of letters... In the most vitriolic
exchanges that Jeffrey had ever witnessed as a member of the UUP, some
senior and respected figures rose to his defence, but their
contributions were completely ignored by those choosing to hurl
criticism and abuse at the Lagan Valley ME
"During the course of the meeting, an email from Lord Maginnis was read
out. "I expect no concessions to our MP/MLA," he said. "He can't set the
house on fire; sabotage the fire engine, and then be given the role in
the Fire Brigade. Let's say 'goodbye Jeffrey'."
A motion was then passed that called on the MP to back party policy and
the leader, or face expulsion.
It was carried by 50 votes to 33.
"Jeffrey left the meeting like someone shell-shocked.
"He was stunned, disappointed and deeply hurt. The proceedings had come
as a total surprise to him. The events that unfolded were undoubtedly
his most traumatic political meeting ever."
He told the media he was considering his future and the next day's News
Letter headline summed up his dilemma: "TOE THE LINE OR QUIT THE PARTY".
Soul-searching, long discussions with friends and colleagues and prayer
followed.
On Thursday, December 18, at 6pm he released a statement advising that
he was resigning from the party.
*Accused of not wanting 'a Fenian about the place`*
"YOU have accused me, and others like me of not wanting 'a Fenian about
the place', but the truth is we just don't want a terrorist about the
place."
This was what Jeffrey Donaldson said when he met face-to-face with Sinn
Fein at the Weston Park peace talks.
It was Tuesday, July 10,2001 -a momentous day in the Lagan Valley MP's
political career - the day he first talked to republicans, including
Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Gerry Kelly.
As a member of the UUP negotiating team at the talks, Jeffrey Donaldson
had to try to put to one side the memory of his family members, friends
and colleagues murdered by the IRA.
Not By Might recounts: "This was to prove one of the most difficult
meetings that Jeffrey Donaldson had ever attended, for he was chillingly
conscious that the men facing him across the table
were more than merely politicians.
"As he prepared to enter the meeting that morning, Jeffrey felt a
powerful surge of emotion well up within him.
"It was then, in the midst of all the preparations going on around, that
he had taken a few seconds to earnestly pray that God would guide him
through what would undoubtedly be a challenging, possibly painful
experience.
"He knew there were things that, he felt he needed to say, and which
Sinn Fein needed to hear, on behalf of all the people who had suffered
so grievously at the hands of the IRA.
"Jeffrey began by chiding the Sinn Fein representatives for the IRA's
failure to live up to its obligations on issues like decommissioning. "
He told them of the 30 years of pain inflicted on everyone in the Province.
'"My family has experienced that pain," he told those present.
"Constable Sam Donaldson was the first RUC officer to be murdered by the
Provisional IRA, the organisation you represent, in the current
Troubles. That was in Crossmaglen, south Armagh.
"The Donaldson family will never forget the letters and cards they
received from ordinary, decent Roman Catholics living in that community,
expressing their sorrow at what had been done.
"They even held a special service in the chapel to demonstrate their
abhorrence at what had taken place in their midst. That wouldn't happen
today, simply because the IRA has left the community so traumatised and
intimidated, as you have dispensed your terror through the bullet and
the bomb. That's why decommissioning is so important.
"You have accused me, and others like me of not wanting a Fenian about
the place, but the truth is that we just don't want a terrorist about
the place. If you want to win the trust of the people that I represent,
then you must recognise their pain and take decisive steps to remove the
gun from politics of Northern Ireland."
Jeffrey Donaldson believed his monologue had an impact on the Sinn Fein
delegation.
Later, in a BBC interview, Adams said he had been particularly
interested "in what Jeffrey Donaldson had to say".
*Sharing a joke with President George Bush*
A SURPRISE meeting with US President George W Bush was a stand-out
moment from a trip to Washington DC earlier this year.
Jeffrey Donaldson was in the American capital as part of a DUP
delegation invited there for the traditional St Patrick's Day celebrations.
Having been invited, along with DUP colleagues, to a luncheon hosted by
the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill, the Lagan
Valley MP was frustratingly delayed by high levels of security.
Entering the dining room late, he found the main guests were seated.
"As he made his way over to his designated table, Jeffrey caught the eye
of Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, who was sitting1 next to the
President at the top table. Mr Ahem beckoned him across.
"Jeffrey immediately changed direction and crossed to the top table,
where Mr Ahem introduced him to the President as, 'Jeffrey Donaldson, MP
for Lagan Valley in Northern Ireland'.
"Realising the dinner was about to begin and the conversation would of
necessity be brief, Jeffrey acknowledged the Irish PM's introduction
before crouching between the two leaders and addressing the President of
the United States.
"I would just like to convey to you the best wishes of the people of
Northern Ireland, Mr President," he said. "We appreciate the lead you
are giving to the world in the fight against international terrorism."
He wished him well for the
Presidential elections too.
"Thank you very much, that is very kind," the President said. "I
believe, though, that these matters are not entirely in our hands. Our
destiny is in the hands of a Higher Power."
Seizing on what he understood to be a reference to Mr Bush's ultimate
dependence on God, Jeffrey went on to remark: "We good Presbyterian's
would call that predestination, Mr President."
George Bush laughed heartily before pointing playfully across at the
Irish Prime Minister and quipping: "Yes. You're right But this good
Catholic here wouldn't understand all of that!"
It was a memorable moment for Jeffrey when three men from different
countries, and with vastly different levels of political responsibility
within those countries, met each other, laughed together, and eventually
went their separate ways.
www.newsletter.co.uk
Exclusive
All this week, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson`s authorised biography - the
tears, the battles behind the scenes
*Stunned and deeply hurt, he resigned*
Thursday Sep 30th 2004
by Stephen Dempster
THE most traumatic and bitter political meeting Jeffrey Donaldson has
ever experienced led to him quitting the UUP and joining the DUE
The UUP executive gathered on December 5,2003, to focus on the
disastrous Assembly election result of the week before, which saw the
party fall behind the DUE
During the discussion, it became obvious that - contrary to some
expectations - David Trimble had no intention of resigning or altering
his polices towards the peace process and Belfast Agreement.
Not By Might recalls: "The leader resolutely refused to accept that the
party's dismal showing in the election represented a withering verdict
by the unionist electorate on either his leadership or the Agreement. He
dismissed the DUP electoral success as of no consequence.
"He informed the officers that he intended to speak privately to the
Prime Minister in an attempt to minimise the scope of the review of the
Agreement so that the DUP would be unable to deliver the changes they
had promised.
"Jeffrey was horrified at this. He saw it as a betrayal of the people
whom he represented and, indeed, the entire unionist community. Instead
of seeking to accommodate their wishes, expressed so clearly at the
ballot box, the party leader was scheming unashamedly to ensure they
were thwarted."
Then, with this debate out of the way, party chairman James Copper
informed the meeting that he had received a total of 78 letters from
party members calling for Jeffrey Donaldson to be expelled.
A representative sample of the letters were read out. Jeffrey recognised
many names as being those of his arch-opponents and believed an
orchestrated campaign had taken place and many letters were duplicates,
simply signed by different people.
"A stormy debate followed the reading of that collection of hastily
organised and mobilised sheaf of letters... In the most vitriolic
exchanges that Jeffrey had ever witnessed as a member of the UUP, some
senior and respected figures rose to his defence, but their
contributions were completely ignored by those choosing to hurl
criticism and abuse at the Lagan Valley ME
"During the course of the meeting, an email from Lord Maginnis was read
out. "I expect no concessions to our MP/MLA," he said. "He can't set the
house on fire; sabotage the fire engine, and then be given the role in
the Fire Brigade. Let's say 'goodbye Jeffrey'."
A motion was then passed that called on the MP to back party policy and
the leader, or face expulsion.
It was carried by 50 votes to 33.
"Jeffrey left the meeting like someone shell-shocked.
"He was stunned, disappointed and deeply hurt. The proceedings had come
as a total surprise to him. The events that unfolded were undoubtedly
his most traumatic political meeting ever."
He told the media he was considering his future and the next day's News
Letter headline summed up his dilemma: "TOE THE LINE OR QUIT THE PARTY".
Soul-searching, long discussions with friends and colleagues and prayer
followed.
On Thursday, December 18, at 6pm he released a statement advising that
he was resigning from the party.
*Accused of not wanting 'a Fenian about the place`*
"YOU have accused me, and others like me of not wanting 'a Fenian about
the place', but the truth is we just don't want a terrorist about the
place."
This was what Jeffrey Donaldson said when he met face-to-face with Sinn
Fein at the Weston Park peace talks.
It was Tuesday, July 10,2001 -a momentous day in the Lagan Valley MP's
political career - the day he first talked to republicans, including
Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Gerry Kelly.
As a member of the UUP negotiating team at the talks, Jeffrey Donaldson
had to try to put to one side the memory of his family members, friends
and colleagues murdered by the IRA.
Not By Might recounts: "This was to prove one of the most difficult
meetings that Jeffrey Donaldson had ever attended, for he was chillingly
conscious that the men facing him across the table
were more than merely politicians.
"As he prepared to enter the meeting that morning, Jeffrey felt a
powerful surge of emotion well up within him.
"It was then, in the midst of all the preparations going on around, that
he had taken a few seconds to earnestly pray that God would guide him
through what would undoubtedly be a challenging, possibly painful
experience.
"He knew there were things that, he felt he needed to say, and which
Sinn Fein needed to hear, on behalf of all the people who had suffered
so grievously at the hands of the IRA.
"Jeffrey began by chiding the Sinn Fein representatives for the IRA's
failure to live up to its obligations on issues like decommissioning. "
He told them of the 30 years of pain inflicted on everyone in the Province.
'"My family has experienced that pain," he told those present.
"Constable Sam Donaldson was the first RUC officer to be murdered by the
Provisional IRA, the organisation you represent, in the current
Troubles. That was in Crossmaglen, south Armagh.
"The Donaldson family will never forget the letters and cards they
received from ordinary, decent Roman Catholics living in that community,
expressing their sorrow at what had been done.
"They even held a special service in the chapel to demonstrate their
abhorrence at what had taken place in their midst. That wouldn't happen
today, simply because the IRA has left the community so traumatised and
intimidated, as you have dispensed your terror through the bullet and
the bomb. That's why decommissioning is so important.
"You have accused me, and others like me of not wanting a Fenian about
the place, but the truth is that we just don't want a terrorist about
the place. If you want to win the trust of the people that I represent,
then you must recognise their pain and take decisive steps to remove the
gun from politics of Northern Ireland."
Jeffrey Donaldson believed his monologue had an impact on the Sinn Fein
delegation.
Later, in a BBC interview, Adams said he had been particularly
interested "in what Jeffrey Donaldson had to say".
*Sharing a joke with President George Bush*
A SURPRISE meeting with US President George W Bush was a stand-out
moment from a trip to Washington DC earlier this year.
Jeffrey Donaldson was in the American capital as part of a DUP
delegation invited there for the traditional St Patrick's Day celebrations.
Having been invited, along with DUP colleagues, to a luncheon hosted by
the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill, the Lagan
Valley MP was frustratingly delayed by high levels of security.
Entering the dining room late, he found the main guests were seated.
"As he made his way over to his designated table, Jeffrey caught the eye
of Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, who was sitting1 next to the
President at the top table. Mr Ahem beckoned him across.
"Jeffrey immediately changed direction and crossed to the top table,
where Mr Ahem introduced him to the President as, 'Jeffrey Donaldson, MP
for Lagan Valley in Northern Ireland'.
"Realising the dinner was about to begin and the conversation would of
necessity be brief, Jeffrey acknowledged the Irish PM's introduction
before crouching between the two leaders and addressing the President of
the United States.
"I would just like to convey to you the best wishes of the people of
Northern Ireland, Mr President," he said. "We appreciate the lead you
are giving to the world in the fight against international terrorism."
He wished him well for the
Presidential elections too.
"Thank you very much, that is very kind," the President said. "I
believe, though, that these matters are not entirely in our hands. Our
destiny is in the hands of a Higher Power."
Seizing on what he understood to be a reference to Mr Bush's ultimate
dependence on God, Jeffrey went on to remark: "We good Presbyterian's
would call that predestination, Mr President."
George Bush laughed heartily before pointing playfully across at the
Irish Prime Minister and quipping: "Yes. You're right But this good
Catholic here wouldn't understand all of that!"
It was a memorable moment for Jeffrey when three men from different
countries, and with vastly different levels of political responsibility
within those countries, met each other, laughed together, and eventually
went their separate ways.
#5
- LOL482
-
- Group: Admin
- Posts: 4,048
- Joined: 23-June 03
Posted 06 October 2004 - 08:51 PM
Ulster Newsletter
www.newsletter.co.uk
Exclusive
All this week, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson`s authorised biography - the
tears, the battles behind the scenes
*Joining party over tea and scones*
Friday Oct 1st 2004
by Stephen Dempster
IAN Paisley invited Jeffrey Donaldson to his home for tea and scones to
seal his membership of the DUP
The Lagan Valley MP says in the book Not By Might - A Journey in Faith
and Politics, that he also immediately felt welcome in the DUP family,
after years of bitterness and infighting in the Ulster Unionist Party.
But neither the DUP's invitation to join the party, nor Jeffrey's
decision to accept the offer, happened overnight.
"In the year's following the Good Friday Agreement, Jeffrey had
developed a cordial relationship with many of the senior members of the
Democratic Unionist Party," Not By Might reveals.
"Latterly, during the period in which he had been without the UUP Whip
at Westminster, that relationship had grown stronger. He had chatted
occasionally to Dr lan Paisley in the House of Commons tearoom, as they
discussed the political matters of the day and their shared Christian faith.
"Peter Robinson and his wife Iris had become good friends with him, as
had the other two MPs, Nigel Dodds and Gregory Campbell. Jeffrey had
long recognised that he felt more comfortable with their political
position than that of the pro-Agreement lobby of the UUP, and so the
bond continued to strengthen.
"These MPs had often raised with Jeffrey in a casual way, and without
any attempt at coercion, the possibility of developing a more effective
political liaison between them all.
"It came as no surprise then^when Peter Robinson phoned him, after he
had been issued his ultimatum from the UUP Peter offered him the
opportunity to meet with Nigel Dodds and himself to discuss his plans
for the future, if he so desired.
"After he announced his resignation, Jeffrey took them up on their
invitation and they met at Peter's home in East Belfast, shortly before
Christmas (2003).
"This was to be the first in a number of meetings at which the two
senior DUP members assured Jeffrey that he, Arlene Foster and Norah Be
are would be given a warm welcome, should they decide to join the DUP
"They made it clear, however, that they were not seeking to shunt the
three former UUP members into their party. It was simply a case of
assuring them that the door was ajar."
The offer of a role on the DUP's frontline negotiating team and key
roles for Arlene and Norah were incentives, as well as the fact that
Jeffrey now believed he could be in a position to help secure the
Agreement he believed would be better for unionists and Northern Ireland
as a whole.
While he maintained contact with the DUP he kept his options open.
However, he knew that, if he was to become an independent this would
reduce the number of seats for unionists on any Stormont Executive, as a
result of the complex d'Hondt system.
Following meetings and discussions with friends, colleagues and family,
on Sunday, December 21, Jeffrey spoke to his wife, Eleanor.
"I have made the final decision about my future," he said, "I want to
tell you first. I now have no doubt whatsoever that my only honourable
and sensible choice is to join the DUP"
On Saturday, January 3, Jeffrey was then invited to meet Mr Paisley at
his home in Belfast.
"As he approached the door of 'The Parsonage', Jeffrey was delighted to
have the founder and leader of his new party come out to greet him in
person.
"Sitting in the comfortable lounge later on, with Dr Paisley and DUP
Chairman Maurice Morrow, enjoying tea and scones provided by Mrs
Paisley, discussing party plans in a relaxed fashion, Jeffrey knew
immediately that he had made the right decision.
"What a contrast between the cosy drawing-room scene and some of the
acrimonious encounters he had experienced at UUP events."
Two day later, he formally announced his decision to the media.
*Breaking the ice and raising laughter*
THE ice was broken between David Trimble and Jeffrey Donaldson when they
met lot the first time after the Lagan Valley MP joined the DUE
It was in April this year that the pair were invited to participate in
the BBC Radio Four programme Any Ques-tions?, chaired by Jonathan
Dimbleby at Queen's University.
"When Jeffrey entered the building he noticed his former party leader
standing alone at the end of the corridor. The Lagan Valley MP had not
spoken personally to Mr Trimble since he had resigned
from the Ulster Unionist Party and this was clearly going to be an
awkward moment.
"However Jeffrey decided to break the ice and went across to speak to
him. They had only time for a short conversation before being called on
stage, as the programme was about to begin."
An early question from the audience was to ask the panel if they had any
regrets about decisions they had made.
"Well aware that this question bad been passed to him for a purpose,
Jeffrey was quite happy to announce that he had no regrets about any of
the major decisions he had made in his political career.
The presenter then turned his attention to David Trimble and began,'Well
Mr Trimble, yon have just heard that, despite all the headaches he
caused you, this man has no regrets, what do you...'
"At this point, David Trimble reached for a small bottle of still water
on the table in front of him and, once he had lifted it, pretended to
crack it over the Lagan Valley MP's head. The audience immediately
exploded into fits of laughter.
The ice was well and truly broken."
*Targeted by a ruthless terrorist group*
LIKE so many public figures in Northern Ireland, Jeffrey Donaldson has
faced threats to bis life.
Shortly after being re-elected to Parliament in 2001, the MP received a
call to his Westminster office from police in Lis-bum.
The local commander told him that under no circumstances was he to
return to his home, when he arrived back in the
Province that evening.
Instead, he was to drive straight to Hillsbor-ough police station where
the commander would be waiting.
No more details were given over the phone and Jeffrey had to travel home
not knowing what awaited him.
Once in the Hillsbor-ough station, "a chill ran down the spine of the MP
as the police officer
revealed he had become aware that a dissident republican group had been
'targeting' him for some time. They had been monitoring his every
movement for months and were in the advanced stages of planning an attack.
"The police were thoroughly convinced that an assassination attempt was
imminent."
Jeffrey Donaldson had become accustomed to threats on his life,
particularly since he became an MR but this was more serious.
"This was the main event, the big show. A well-organised, well-armed,
ruthless group out there were preparing to kill him in the near future.
"It was frightening. He had always known that his strong opposition to
terrorist activity, from whatever quarter, would be liable to produce
threats. He could cope with the vague, distant, unpleasant prospects in
the subconscious but to have a high-ranking police officer sitting
across a table from him, spelling out the specifics of an attack on his
life, was altogether more alarming."
An armed escort, was assigned to Jeffrey and his family.
He still has protection today.
*Unlikely source of support*
THE only senior member of the Ulster Unionist Party to wish Jeffrey
Donaldson well after he joined the DUP was Lord Kilclooney.
John Taylor called the Lagan Valley MP on his mobile shortly after a
Press conference in Belfast to announce the new man
in the DUE
'"I just heard your interview, Jeffrey,' he said, 'and I am ringing to
wish you all the best for the future. Although I will be sorry to lose
you from the Ulster Unionist Party, I believe you have made the right
decision'."
Noting that Jeffrey had thought about becoming an independent MR Lord
Kilclooney said there was "no future for independents" in Ulster politics.
"Jeffrey was pleasantly surprised but also genuinely encouraged by the
call."
*Not By Might, A Journey In Faith And
Politics by Noel Davidson. Published by
Ambassador Publications. Available in
the shops from October 6, priced £16.99*
www.newsletter.co.uk
Exclusive
All this week, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson`s authorised biography - the
tears, the battles behind the scenes
*Joining party over tea and scones*
Friday Oct 1st 2004
by Stephen Dempster
IAN Paisley invited Jeffrey Donaldson to his home for tea and scones to
seal his membership of the DUP
The Lagan Valley MP says in the book Not By Might - A Journey in Faith
and Politics, that he also immediately felt welcome in the DUP family,
after years of bitterness and infighting in the Ulster Unionist Party.
But neither the DUP's invitation to join the party, nor Jeffrey's
decision to accept the offer, happened overnight.
"In the year's following the Good Friday Agreement, Jeffrey had
developed a cordial relationship with many of the senior members of the
Democratic Unionist Party," Not By Might reveals.
"Latterly, during the period in which he had been without the UUP Whip
at Westminster, that relationship had grown stronger. He had chatted
occasionally to Dr lan Paisley in the House of Commons tearoom, as they
discussed the political matters of the day and their shared Christian faith.
"Peter Robinson and his wife Iris had become good friends with him, as
had the other two MPs, Nigel Dodds and Gregory Campbell. Jeffrey had
long recognised that he felt more comfortable with their political
position than that of the pro-Agreement lobby of the UUP, and so the
bond continued to strengthen.
"These MPs had often raised with Jeffrey in a casual way, and without
any attempt at coercion, the possibility of developing a more effective
political liaison between them all.
"It came as no surprise then^when Peter Robinson phoned him, after he
had been issued his ultimatum from the UUP Peter offered him the
opportunity to meet with Nigel Dodds and himself to discuss his plans
for the future, if he so desired.
"After he announced his resignation, Jeffrey took them up on their
invitation and they met at Peter's home in East Belfast, shortly before
Christmas (2003).
"This was to be the first in a number of meetings at which the two
senior DUP members assured Jeffrey that he, Arlene Foster and Norah Be
are would be given a warm welcome, should they decide to join the DUP
"They made it clear, however, that they were not seeking to shunt the
three former UUP members into their party. It was simply a case of
assuring them that the door was ajar."
The offer of a role on the DUP's frontline negotiating team and key
roles for Arlene and Norah were incentives, as well as the fact that
Jeffrey now believed he could be in a position to help secure the
Agreement he believed would be better for unionists and Northern Ireland
as a whole.
While he maintained contact with the DUP he kept his options open.
However, he knew that, if he was to become an independent this would
reduce the number of seats for unionists on any Stormont Executive, as a
result of the complex d'Hondt system.
Following meetings and discussions with friends, colleagues and family,
on Sunday, December 21, Jeffrey spoke to his wife, Eleanor.
"I have made the final decision about my future," he said, "I want to
tell you first. I now have no doubt whatsoever that my only honourable
and sensible choice is to join the DUP"
On Saturday, January 3, Jeffrey was then invited to meet Mr Paisley at
his home in Belfast.
"As he approached the door of 'The Parsonage', Jeffrey was delighted to
have the founder and leader of his new party come out to greet him in
person.
"Sitting in the comfortable lounge later on, with Dr Paisley and DUP
Chairman Maurice Morrow, enjoying tea and scones provided by Mrs
Paisley, discussing party plans in a relaxed fashion, Jeffrey knew
immediately that he had made the right decision.
"What a contrast between the cosy drawing-room scene and some of the
acrimonious encounters he had experienced at UUP events."
Two day later, he formally announced his decision to the media.
*Breaking the ice and raising laughter*
THE ice was broken between David Trimble and Jeffrey Donaldson when they
met lot the first time after the Lagan Valley MP joined the DUE
It was in April this year that the pair were invited to participate in
the BBC Radio Four programme Any Ques-tions?, chaired by Jonathan
Dimbleby at Queen's University.
"When Jeffrey entered the building he noticed his former party leader
standing alone at the end of the corridor. The Lagan Valley MP had not
spoken personally to Mr Trimble since he had resigned
from the Ulster Unionist Party and this was clearly going to be an
awkward moment.
"However Jeffrey decided to break the ice and went across to speak to
him. They had only time for a short conversation before being called on
stage, as the programme was about to begin."
An early question from the audience was to ask the panel if they had any
regrets about decisions they had made.
"Well aware that this question bad been passed to him for a purpose,
Jeffrey was quite happy to announce that he had no regrets about any of
the major decisions he had made in his political career.
The presenter then turned his attention to David Trimble and began,'Well
Mr Trimble, yon have just heard that, despite all the headaches he
caused you, this man has no regrets, what do you...'
"At this point, David Trimble reached for a small bottle of still water
on the table in front of him and, once he had lifted it, pretended to
crack it over the Lagan Valley MP's head. The audience immediately
exploded into fits of laughter.
The ice was well and truly broken."
*Targeted by a ruthless terrorist group*
LIKE so many public figures in Northern Ireland, Jeffrey Donaldson has
faced threats to bis life.
Shortly after being re-elected to Parliament in 2001, the MP received a
call to his Westminster office from police in Lis-bum.
The local commander told him that under no circumstances was he to
return to his home, when he arrived back in the
Province that evening.
Instead, he was to drive straight to Hillsbor-ough police station where
the commander would be waiting.
No more details were given over the phone and Jeffrey had to travel home
not knowing what awaited him.
Once in the Hillsbor-ough station, "a chill ran down the spine of the MP
as the police officer
revealed he had become aware that a dissident republican group had been
'targeting' him for some time. They had been monitoring his every
movement for months and were in the advanced stages of planning an attack.
"The police were thoroughly convinced that an assassination attempt was
imminent."
Jeffrey Donaldson had become accustomed to threats on his life,
particularly since he became an MR but this was more serious.
"This was the main event, the big show. A well-organised, well-armed,
ruthless group out there were preparing to kill him in the near future.
"It was frightening. He had always known that his strong opposition to
terrorist activity, from whatever quarter, would be liable to produce
threats. He could cope with the vague, distant, unpleasant prospects in
the subconscious but to have a high-ranking police officer sitting
across a table from him, spelling out the specifics of an attack on his
life, was altogether more alarming."
An armed escort, was assigned to Jeffrey and his family.
He still has protection today.
*Unlikely source of support*
THE only senior member of the Ulster Unionist Party to wish Jeffrey
Donaldson well after he joined the DUP was Lord Kilclooney.
John Taylor called the Lagan Valley MP on his mobile shortly after a
Press conference in Belfast to announce the new man
in the DUE
'"I just heard your interview, Jeffrey,' he said, 'and I am ringing to
wish you all the best for the future. Although I will be sorry to lose
you from the Ulster Unionist Party, I believe you have made the right
decision'."
Noting that Jeffrey had thought about becoming an independent MR Lord
Kilclooney said there was "no future for independents" in Ulster politics.
"Jeffrey was pleasantly surprised but also genuinely encouraged by the
call."
*Not By Might, A Journey In Faith And
Politics by Noel Davidson. Published by
Ambassador Publications. Available in
the shops from October 6, priced £16.99*
#6
- LOL482
-
- Group: Admin
- Posts: 4,048
- Joined: 23-June 03
Posted 06 October 2004 - 08:51 PM
Donaldson Read Delivers Quite A Punch - In His Own Quiet Way
http://www.newslette....uk/story/15434
Suzanne Breen
Thursday 30th September 2004
Don't be fooled by his mildmannered exterior. For a small man, Jeffrey
Donaldson packs a powerful punch.
This week, he became unionism's 'pocket rocket', sending Sir Reg into a
spin.
It's not that Donaldson possesses a natural killer instinct - he'll
always be more Daniel O'Donnell than Mike Tyson. The Lagan Valley MP is
one of the most gentlemanly and courteous of politicians. He is never
aggressive nor rude to opponents.
He has his political and religious views, but doesn't ram them down your
throat. You couldn't picture Jeffrey marching up a mountain in the
middle of the night or waving a firearm certificate in the air. With
journalists, he's helpful and polite whatever time of day he is phoned.
When I first heard his authorised biography was pending, I thought
Donaldson had lost the run of himself.
He is only 41, not the leader of any country or political party and
without major national or international achievements to his name.
There are other DUP politicians whose biographies I'd be keener to read.
But, after the News Letter's serialisation of Not By Might, I must
admit, it was a good idea.
It has nailed down what I always suspected - Reg Empey has no backbone.
His response to the book reinforced that.
There was a short statement to the News Letter but, at the time of
writing, no TV or radio interviews.
Wouldn't someone misrepresented not want to go on the airwaves to
clarify the situation? Wouldn't they relish setting the record straight?
Sir Reg's strategy appears to be to dismiss everything and keep his head
down until it all blows over.
I'm no fan of David Trimble's personal or political style, but at least
he sets out his stall. He took positions unpopular with many in his own
party and the wider unionist community. Sometimes, he hasn't been able
to walk the streets of his own constituency without abuse.
Donaldson, too, has displayed courage. For six years, he led the charge
against Trimble. He didn't take the coward's way and whisper behind his
back. He challenged his leader privately and publicly.
He said the same at Ulster Unionist Council meetings that he said to
close colleagues like Arlene Foster and David Burnside. He played it
straight.
Donaldson is not a natural born rebel. Dissent didn't come easily to
him. Family links to the UUP go back generations.
He took a stand not because he was ambitious, bitter or scheming, but
because he was a conviction politician. Those who saw how passionately
he addressed UUC meetings know that.
Sir Reg, by comparison, comes across as inhabiting the sneaky, spineless
world of the secret plotter.
There he was, apparently Trimble's loyal colleague, penning damning
17-page documents behind closed doors.
I agree with much of what he wrote. The UUP and its leadership were
dysfunctional. Its organisation was a shambles. It couldn't secure a
peace deal because nobody thought it could deliver. Its membership is
worryingly old and male.
Although, for Sir Reg to write, without blushing, that "trust within the
party is simply not there", is remarkable. If Sir Reg was loyal to his
leader, he would have handed him - and no-one else - the critique.
Had he any real love for his party, he would have stood up for his
beliefs and taken action to change what he recognised as potentially
fatal flaws.
He did neither. He showed no loyalty to those anti-Agreement MPs with
whom he flirted. At the crux, he didn't' speak in their defence.
They're all better off without him anyway. Sir Reg is currently UUP
deputy leader. Honour should dictate he resigns his position.
How can he serve under a man for whom he clearly has no liking or respect?
Trimble-Empey makes Blair-Brown look like Romeo and Juliet.
Unfortunately, Trimble will effectively collude with Sir Reg until the
storm calms. He can't afford to admit he isn't supported by yet another
senior party member.
The UUP leader once called Sir Reg the "star player" in his team.
Judgement never was his strong point. His true friends are few - James
Cooper, Dermot Nesbitt, Lady Sylvia, and Michael McGimpsey.
Trimble should have no gripe with Donaldson authorising a biography.
Indeed, at 300-pages, it's only a third as big as the UUP leader's own tome.
But, then, sometimes size really doesn't matter.
suzybreen@hotmail.com <mailto:suzybreen@hotmail.com>
*
*
Unmasked
http://www.newslette....uk/story/15363
By Stephen Dempster Political Correspondent
Monday 27th September 2004
Details of a secret plot to remove David Trimble as Ulster Unionist
Party leader are revealed in today's News Letter.
The plan, involving senior members of the party, including long-time
Trimble ally Sir Reg Empey, is unmasked in a new book about the life of
MP Jeffrey Donaldson.
Not By Might, A Journey In Faith and Politics, written by Noel Davidson,
is serialised exclusively in the News Letter all of this week.
The coup attempt was in the advanced stages of planning, after a series
of meetings between leading figures in the Yes and No camps of the UUP
last year.
The book quotes from a 17-page document prepared for the rebels by Sir
Reg in which the man who is now UUP deputy leader offered a damning
appraisal of his party's inner workings, policies, leadership and
general decline.
The paper, passed to the News Letter, declared:
* the party and its leadership is "dysfunctional";
* the party's headquarters and overall organisation is "a shambles";
* trust within the party "is simply not there";
* the UUP could not negotiate a peace deal because "neither republicans
nor Her Majesty's Government . . . believe they are negotiating with a
group of unionists who really can deliver".
Not By Might alleges that Sir Reg was being primed by the group to seize
the leadership but lost his nerve at a crunch Ulster Unionist Council
meeting last September.
He was even in close contact with Mr Trimble's arch-rival, Mr Donaldson,
in the latter stages of the plot.
The coup group included men who were once frontline Trimble allies: MEP
Jim Nicholson and MLAs Danny Kennedy and Fred Cobain, as well as Sir Reg.
And they held a series of face-to-face talks with Trimble critics: Mr
Donaldson, MP David Burnside and MLA Arlene Foster, while MP Martin
Smyth and former leader Lord James Molyneaux were also involved.
The pro-Agreement group initiated the secret discussions, with Danny
Kennedy at one point sending a document disguised as a press release to
Mr Donaldson.
Meanwhile, Sir Reg's paper said: "Clearly, the (Party) officers are,
like the rest of the party, dysfunctional. This must be remedied.
"There is widespread anger at the 'shambles' that is party HQ. The
Policy Development Unit has all but collapsed.
"Staff do not know who their boss is and there appears to be no line
management. "The Press office is used by whoever is around and it has
also been used to brief against party officers who, after all, are
supposed to be responsible for it!!"
It continued: "Our membership is ageing; women are not progressing
through to public representatives; our youth wing is small and ineffective.
"There is no monitoring of performance."
And the Donaldson book claims: "It was Sir Reg's comments (in the
document) on the need for a more representative negotiating team,
though, that gave Jeffrey the clearest indication of his growing
disaffection with the existing leadership. In the paper, Sir Reg stated
bluntly: 'Trust within the party is simply not there.'
It was hoped that the UUC meeting last September would instigate a party
rebellion. But, at the crucial moment, Sir Reg chose not to speak in
defence of the trio of MPs who had been suspended from the party.
This was viewed as "a reluctance to stand up and be counted", the book
declares, and the coup collapsed.
http://www.newslette....uk/story/15434
Suzanne Breen
Thursday 30th September 2004
Don't be fooled by his mildmannered exterior. For a small man, Jeffrey
Donaldson packs a powerful punch.
This week, he became unionism's 'pocket rocket', sending Sir Reg into a
spin.
It's not that Donaldson possesses a natural killer instinct - he'll
always be more Daniel O'Donnell than Mike Tyson. The Lagan Valley MP is
one of the most gentlemanly and courteous of politicians. He is never
aggressive nor rude to opponents.
He has his political and religious views, but doesn't ram them down your
throat. You couldn't picture Jeffrey marching up a mountain in the
middle of the night or waving a firearm certificate in the air. With
journalists, he's helpful and polite whatever time of day he is phoned.
When I first heard his authorised biography was pending, I thought
Donaldson had lost the run of himself.
He is only 41, not the leader of any country or political party and
without major national or international achievements to his name.
There are other DUP politicians whose biographies I'd be keener to read.
But, after the News Letter's serialisation of Not By Might, I must
admit, it was a good idea.
It has nailed down what I always suspected - Reg Empey has no backbone.
His response to the book reinforced that.
There was a short statement to the News Letter but, at the time of
writing, no TV or radio interviews.
Wouldn't someone misrepresented not want to go on the airwaves to
clarify the situation? Wouldn't they relish setting the record straight?
Sir Reg's strategy appears to be to dismiss everything and keep his head
down until it all blows over.
I'm no fan of David Trimble's personal or political style, but at least
he sets out his stall. He took positions unpopular with many in his own
party and the wider unionist community. Sometimes, he hasn't been able
to walk the streets of his own constituency without abuse.
Donaldson, too, has displayed courage. For six years, he led the charge
against Trimble. He didn't take the coward's way and whisper behind his
back. He challenged his leader privately and publicly.
He said the same at Ulster Unionist Council meetings that he said to
close colleagues like Arlene Foster and David Burnside. He played it
straight.
Donaldson is not a natural born rebel. Dissent didn't come easily to
him. Family links to the UUP go back generations.
He took a stand not because he was ambitious, bitter or scheming, but
because he was a conviction politician. Those who saw how passionately
he addressed UUC meetings know that.
Sir Reg, by comparison, comes across as inhabiting the sneaky, spineless
world of the secret plotter.
There he was, apparently Trimble's loyal colleague, penning damning
17-page documents behind closed doors.
I agree with much of what he wrote. The UUP and its leadership were
dysfunctional. Its organisation was a shambles. It couldn't secure a
peace deal because nobody thought it could deliver. Its membership is
worryingly old and male.
Although, for Sir Reg to write, without blushing, that "trust within the
party is simply not there", is remarkable. If Sir Reg was loyal to his
leader, he would have handed him - and no-one else - the critique.
Had he any real love for his party, he would have stood up for his
beliefs and taken action to change what he recognised as potentially
fatal flaws.
He did neither. He showed no loyalty to those anti-Agreement MPs with
whom he flirted. At the crux, he didn't' speak in their defence.
They're all better off without him anyway. Sir Reg is currently UUP
deputy leader. Honour should dictate he resigns his position.
How can he serve under a man for whom he clearly has no liking or respect?
Trimble-Empey makes Blair-Brown look like Romeo and Juliet.
Unfortunately, Trimble will effectively collude with Sir Reg until the
storm calms. He can't afford to admit he isn't supported by yet another
senior party member.
The UUP leader once called Sir Reg the "star player" in his team.
Judgement never was his strong point. His true friends are few - James
Cooper, Dermot Nesbitt, Lady Sylvia, and Michael McGimpsey.
Trimble should have no gripe with Donaldson authorising a biography.
Indeed, at 300-pages, it's only a third as big as the UUP leader's own tome.
But, then, sometimes size really doesn't matter.
suzybreen@hotmail.com <mailto:suzybreen@hotmail.com>
*
*
Unmasked
http://www.newslette....uk/story/15363
By Stephen Dempster Political Correspondent
Monday 27th September 2004
Details of a secret plot to remove David Trimble as Ulster Unionist
Party leader are revealed in today's News Letter.
The plan, involving senior members of the party, including long-time
Trimble ally Sir Reg Empey, is unmasked in a new book about the life of
MP Jeffrey Donaldson.
Not By Might, A Journey In Faith and Politics, written by Noel Davidson,
is serialised exclusively in the News Letter all of this week.
The coup attempt was in the advanced stages of planning, after a series
of meetings between leading figures in the Yes and No camps of the UUP
last year.
The book quotes from a 17-page document prepared for the rebels by Sir
Reg in which the man who is now UUP deputy leader offered a damning
appraisal of his party's inner workings, policies, leadership and
general decline.
The paper, passed to the News Letter, declared:
* the party and its leadership is "dysfunctional";
* the party's headquarters and overall organisation is "a shambles";
* trust within the party "is simply not there";
* the UUP could not negotiate a peace deal because "neither republicans
nor Her Majesty's Government . . . believe they are negotiating with a
group of unionists who really can deliver".
Not By Might alleges that Sir Reg was being primed by the group to seize
the leadership but lost his nerve at a crunch Ulster Unionist Council
meeting last September.
He was even in close contact with Mr Trimble's arch-rival, Mr Donaldson,
in the latter stages of the plot.
The coup group included men who were once frontline Trimble allies: MEP
Jim Nicholson and MLAs Danny Kennedy and Fred Cobain, as well as Sir Reg.
And they held a series of face-to-face talks with Trimble critics: Mr
Donaldson, MP David Burnside and MLA Arlene Foster, while MP Martin
Smyth and former leader Lord James Molyneaux were also involved.
The pro-Agreement group initiated the secret discussions, with Danny
Kennedy at one point sending a document disguised as a press release to
Mr Donaldson.
Meanwhile, Sir Reg's paper said: "Clearly, the (Party) officers are,
like the rest of the party, dysfunctional. This must be remedied.
"There is widespread anger at the 'shambles' that is party HQ. The
Policy Development Unit has all but collapsed.
"Staff do not know who their boss is and there appears to be no line
management. "The Press office is used by whoever is around and it has
also been used to brief against party officers who, after all, are
supposed to be responsible for it!!"
It continued: "Our membership is ageing; women are not progressing
through to public representatives; our youth wing is small and ineffective.
"There is no monitoring of performance."
And the Donaldson book claims: "It was Sir Reg's comments (in the
document) on the need for a more representative negotiating team,
though, that gave Jeffrey the clearest indication of his growing
disaffection with the existing leadership. In the paper, Sir Reg stated
bluntly: 'Trust within the party is simply not there.'
It was hoped that the UUC meeting last September would instigate a party
rebellion. But, at the crucial moment, Sir Reg chose not to speak in
defence of the trio of MPs who had been suspended from the party.
This was viewed as "a reluctance to stand up and be counted", the book
declares, and the coup collapsed.
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