The DUP's leader in Westminster has denied that the party is being an "awkward squad" by voting against attempts by the British government to advance its Brexit bill.

Nigel Dodds spoke to RTÉ News after he and nine other DUP MPs voted in favour of the Letwin amendment, which withholds approval for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit deal until formal ratification legislation has been passed.

The amendment was passed by 322 votes to 306. Mr Dodds said in the House of Commons that the vote gives more time for "detailed consideration" of the Brexit bill.

The party had voiced its opposition against the Brexit deal, saying that the proposals were not "beneficial to the economic well-being of Northern Ireland" and "undermine the integrity of the Union".

Speaking at Belfast Airport this evening, he said there was "no pleasure" for the party in carrying out its vote today.

"We regret the fact that we find ourselves, Northern Ireland, the UK in this position because we want to try and move ahead, get Brexit done as one United Kingdom and move ahead and put this all behind us.

"So there is no pleasure taken by us in having to do what we did today, but it was important because it lay down a marker that these issues that we have must be addressed in the consideration of the Withdrawal Bill moving forward in the next few weeks."

Mr Dodds said the DUP does not see itself as being awkward and that it will take the necessary steps to protect its interests.

"I don't think we see ourselves as being some kind of awkward squad," he said.

"We see ourselves as a group pf MPs representing Northern Ireland's best interest, trying to get a deal that means there is no economic barriers between us and our main market and the rest of the United Kingdom and it protects our constitutional position. That's all we're about, we're not trying to put one over on anyone.

"But if people are doing things that we think are not in our interest, then we will take the requisite steps in parliament to make sure those interests are protected."

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