Thread by @AmandaFBelfast

Good morning. Maidin mhaith. Guid moarnin’. Just arrived @duponline #DUP22. It’s their first conference since 2019. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson @J_Donaldson_MP to say "…I want us to build a better Northern Ireland, not just for those who share our unionism, but for all our people”

I’m working for Reuters news agency & LBC News today. #DUP @duponline press officer John Robinson has said I won’t be allowed into the conference because I was at the Ireland’s Future conference. I was at the conference as a journalist, a paid interviewer. @nujofficial #DUP22

Bad line to @LBCNews from the Crowne Plaza hotel as I attempt to cover #DUP22 conference. I was explaining to listeners that the #Breixt protocol is expected to feature heavily during the day, and that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is expected to speak about outreach beyond unionism.

#DUP22 press officer John Robinson says “people are crying to get in” and I’m not allowed in. He wouldn’t answer who else didn’t get accredited. He attempted to escort me from building after calling burly men with earpieces. I explained this is a public hotel. I am going nowhere.

#DUP press officer commented on me being pro choice, & questioned if I had ever covered pro life events. I explained I have routinely. He doesn’t seem to grasps I have different roles. One is a reporter. Another is providing commentary/analysis. I’m also event host, producer etc

I just spoke to Lord Morrow. I explained what was happening. He said “how unfair”. He said “leave it with me” #DUP22

I was in the foyer. I got talking to a a visually impaired gentleman who needed to go upstairs to the conference. I escorted him into the lift and up to the first floor. When the lift door opened I saw Brendan Hughes and other colleagues who made representations for me. Mfl

Brendan Hughes pointed out that he was also at the Ireland’s Future event. The security man told me I “wasn’t welcome” and to leave. He said he has been told I’m not allowed on the first floor. And now that I had assisted the visually impaired gentleman I could leave. #DUP22

The staff at the @CrownePlaza are being lovely. A young man just brought me tea. Another lady who didn’t know what was happening spotted my press pass and said “It must be a really exciting job you have”. I explained I have not been allowed into the conference (yet)!

Academics and media colleagues have been in touch. Told me to sit tight. #DUP22

#DUP22

#DUP22

More of the DUP conference booklet I managed to lift a copy of before I had to go down stairs. Still sitting in the foyer @NUJofficial @NUJBelfast

I’m being allowed in. #DUP22 @duponline

That’s us nai. I’ll get back to doing my job. I’ll be on @LBCNews at 11.10am, and chatting to delegates for @ReutersUK about the future for the #DUP22 and #unionism.

Lord Morrow speech pretty uncompromising on the protocol. A 'heinous imposition'. "Let me make it clear unless the Protocol is replaced there will be no prospect of this Party taking up places in a Stormont Executive. We will judge the Government on actions not words". #DUP22

I hear the hate wing of my fan club has been busy online. Haha. Tighten them.

Stephen Dunne MLA talks about "a Northern Ireland that works for all". He cracks an Ireland's Future type joke. Notes "I think Jimmy (Nesbitt) is still trying to find his way out of Dublin." #DUP22

Section of speech made by education minister Michelle McIlveen. #DUP22

Integrated Education Fund, Early Years, Fire Brigade Union and Royal College of Nursing among the exhibitors at #DUP22

Chatting to delegates at #DUP22 for Reuters. General mood is chipper enough. Themes among members is they have concerns about UK government delivering on the #Brexit #protocol, but they have confidence in the future of the union. “People know what side their bread is buttered”.

Just bumped into Sir Jeffrey Donaldson as he chatted to exhibitors, DUP reps and members. We exchanged pleasantries and I told him I was pleased to finally be allowed access to #DUP22 He was in good form, smiled, and said “I told them to let you in”.

'Unlike Sinn Fein, who speak of unity but sow division, we want to see Northern Ireland work for everyone. We know Northern Ireland is a great place – to live, to work, to visit, a great place to invest
#DUP22 - Gordon Lyons - Director of Elections speech mydup.com/news/dup-confe…

"The undisputed voice of unionism" Sir Jeffrey Donaldson taking to the stage at #DUP22 to Take That Greatest Day. Same music Arlene used three years ago.

Thoughts with #Creeslough from #DUP22 leader as he starts his conference speech

#DUP22 leader speech continued

#DUP22 leader speech continued👇🏻

#DUP22 leader speech conclusion👇🏻

Coming up on @LBCNews with my reporting and analysis on the latest from @duponline #DUP22

Delegates are going for lunch now. Lady on the first floor foyer advising people if they have orange tickets they are downstairs. Green tickets, upstairs! #DUP22

I’m done. Afternoon workshops sessions are closed to the media. Until next time. Report to follow…#DUP22

NEW: My report from #DUP22

N. Ireland's unionist #DUP sceptical as post-Brexit talks resume reuters.com/world/uk/n-ire…

Thanks everyone. I didn’t want to be the story today but that wasn’t of my making. Thanks to colleagues, strangers, followers for the solidarity. I’ll process it all over the weekend. Some online users might want to consider deleting some of their tweets. ENDS
#DUP22 @NUJofficial