THE DUP will back legislation at Westminster for survivors of mother and baby homes if the Stormont impasse continues, a victims group said.
Adele Johnstone, from Birth Mothers and their Children for Justice, said the group met DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson yesterday in which he committed to legislation.
Separately, victims will be taking legal action over long delays in bringing forward new laws.
Mother and baby homes, run by the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland and the Salvation Army, existed in Northern Ireland until 1990.
A report published last year found around 10,500 women and children, including rape and incest victims and a girl as young as 12, were sent to homes between 1922 and 1990.
Following recommendations made by an expert panel, the executive agreed in November that a public inquiry should be established, an independent panel set up to hear survivors' testimonies, and compensation be paid to victims.
The DUP is refusing to form an assembly as part of its protest against the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol trade agreement. The party has been contacted for comment.
Ms Johnstone said Sir Jeffrey told the group he would support Westminster legislation, if a fully-functioning executive does not return soon, and would raise the issue with the secretary of state, head of the civil service and other party leaders.
"He said he would be speaking to the head of the civil service and enquiring about the drafting of the legislation," she said.
"If we (Stormont) go back in the autumn can we immediately act upon it? If there will be a prolonged (impasse) again, he would support laws at Westminster."
Ms Johnstone said campaigners had been pushing for justice for more than 15 years.
"We're getting very frustrated with this," she said. "We're getting weary. There are things that can be implemented without legislation."
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon called on the DUP to return to Stormont to introduce the legislation as soon as possible.
"I would much prefer Stormont to bring this forward," she said. "Let us get back in there and deliver."
But she added that she would support Westminster legislation on mother and baby homes in the absence of an assembly.
"We can't have people waiting on delivery," she said.
She said victims must have an input into any new law.
"We'll explore every single option," she said.
Solicitor Claire McKeegan, of Phoenix Law, acts for Birth Mothers and their Children for Justice.
"We're pleased that the DUP have confirmed that they will liaise with the NIO to have a programme of legislation taken through Westminster," she said.
She told The Irish News victims will be taking legal action over the "lamentable delay" in bringing legislation forward. She also said some work, including the recruitment of inquiry staff, can be brought forward without legislation.
Ms McKeegan will also write to the head of the Civil Service, the Executive Office and the Department of Health to ask why key commitments, including the appointment of an inquiry chair, still have not been enacted.
