​Finding a solution to Windsor Framework is only way forward according to DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson who says his party will not be 'deflected by noises off stage'

In a radio interview Mr Baker said the framework would not be reopened to satisfy some of the “hardest lines of opinion”, adding that he believes Sir Jeffrey has a “hard problem to deal with”.

His words are the latest in a series of attempts that some within the DUP have described as “bullying tactics” to force the return of Stormont governance.

Addressing the comments from Mr Baker, Sir Jeffrey said: “Our focus is on getting the right solution, we continue to engage with the UK government on this.

“We have been involved in extensive engagements with them over the summer period and this will continue until we make the progress that is needed.

“We will not be deflected by noises off stage.”

Asked if he felt his party was being bullied by the Northern Ireland Office back into Stormont he said: “I think it is widely recognised that applying political pressure without seeking a solution is not the way forward.

“In fairness to the secretary of state he has been fully engaged in our discussions and we will continue to engage with him and with the government generally.”

DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson last week was singing from the same hymn sheet as the party leader.

He said: “Attempts to pressurise or threaten won’t work and they haven’t worked in the past, including in the run-up to the council elections.

“The UK government know the DUP’s position and we will continue our engagement to ensure there is an outcome that works for unionists as well as nationalists.

“Rather than megaphone diplomacy or social media soundbites, the focus should be on finding solutions.

“Unionism has only ever asked for the government to meet its own promises about the integrity of the UK.”

TUV leader Jim Allister suggested that Mr Baker’s comments signalled the death of Stormont.

He said: “If the government is saying that the protocol and the Windsor whitewash are here to stay then the corollary of that is that Stormont is dead because the price of Stormont is to implement the protocol, and that is a price that no unionist should be paying.”

He has urged the DUP to stand firm: “It really does come down to whether or not the DUP stands firm. If they grasp at some fig leaf to cover up going back in well then the government will have achieved their end and the Union will then be dismantled by ourselves.

“I don’t think unionism has ever been tested like this before. If unionism gives in on this the Union is over effectively.”

UUP Doug Beattie wasn’t surprised by the comments from the NIO minister.

He said: “I think Steve Baker was being brutally honest and I think it's fair that unionists and loyalists and everybody else in Northern Ireland gets honesty. We have been told that message for quite some time. So it didn't come as a shock to us when he said that.p

Commenting on X, formerly Twitter, Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood said: “DUP have made it clear they have no interest in returning to Assembly unless its on their terms. How so? The first sign was the person actually elected to be [deputy first minister] not taking up the seat, the second sign was the election was over a year ago.”

During a meeting with US politicians last week, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong said Northern Ireland is “in the political equivalent of the seventh circle of hell”.

Speaking after the meeting, Ms Armstrong said she was inspired to make the reference to Dante’s Inferno after being asked by the US delegation how things were going in NI.

She said: “It feels like we’re going round in circles, we’re not getting anywhere fast, we have a budget that is causing so many problems and sadly we have no legislature here to take any solutions forward.

“The DUP are the people who need to take a decision about the Windsor Framework, I’m hoping that they can do that very quickly so that we can all get back.”