ARLENE Foster is resigning as Northern Ireland’s first minister and leader of the DUP.
The Brexiteer says she will step down as DUP leader on May 28 and as first minister at the end of June.
In a statement, she said: "It is important to give space over the next few weeks for the Party Officers to make arrangements for the election of a new leader."
The outgoing first minister described serving the people of Northern Ireland as "the privilege of my life".
She added: "The future of unionism and Northern Ireland will not be found in division. It will only be found in sharing this place we are privileged to call home."
The announcement comes 24 hours after an sizeable internal heave against her by DUP politicians unhappy with her leadership.
The 50-year-old Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative indicated her resignation will mark the end of her political career, as she said she was preparing to "depart the political stage".
"A short time ago I called the Party Chairman to inform him that I intend to step down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party on the 28th of May and as First Minister of Northern Ireland at the end of June," she said.
"It is important to give space over the next few weeks for the Party Officers to make arrangements for the election of a new leader. When elected I will work with the new leader on transition arrangements.
"As First Minister it is important that I complete work on a number of important issues for Northern Ireland alongside other Executive colleagues.
"Northern Ireland and its people have been heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and there remains more work to be done to steer us thorough the pandemic and to lessen its impact on the lives of everyone."
The end of Foster's five-year tenure at helm of the DUP had been widely anticipated after it emerged that a significant number of her colleagues had signed a letter of no confidence circulated among party MLAs, MPs and peers.
There has been growing unease among DUP members about Foster and the wider party leadership in recent months.
The primary source of concern is the handling of the Brexit process. The DUP is facing anger from the wider loyalist and unionist community for the introduction of an Irish Sea border.
Critics have accused Foster of failing to use the party's influence at Westminster – particularly during its confidence and supply deal with the Conservatives – to secure a Brexit deal that saw Northern Ireland leave the EU on the same terms as the rest of the UK.
She has also been accused of not being vociferous enough in opposition to the contentious Protocol, which governs the new Brexit trading barriers between NI and GB, ahead of its introduction at the start of 2021.
Poor recent polling numbers have exacerbated the discontent within the party faithful, who are mindful of next May's looming Assembly election.
Aside from the Irish Sea border, Foster's decision to abstain in a vote calling for a ban on gay conversion therapy last week appears to have further agitated sections of the party's fundamentalist grassroots.
The majority of her party Assembly colleagues voted against the motion, having failed to amend it to include reference to religious protections.
Foster was among only five party members, including fellow Stormont Executive ministers Peter Weir and Diane Dodds, who abstained.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel