JEFFREY Donaldson has confirmed he will run to become the next leader of the DUP.
The Lagan Valley MP is not expected to be opposed following a bruising party leadership contest last month.
In a statement last night, Donaldson confirmed he had submitted his nomination papers.
He spoke of optimism for the future while recognising the challenges which face Northern Ireland today.
Donaldson called for unity to oppose the Northern Ireland Protocol and vowed to make the UK Government “recognise the need to take decisive action”.
“Make no mistake, this is the number one issue facing our country, our people and our place within the United Kingdom,” he said.
“If elected, I will ensure that the Government doesn’t just listen, but recognises the need to take decisive action to deal quickly with the protocol.
“A failure to act will undoubtedly have consequences for the stability of our political institutions and the prosperity of our economy.”
Earlier, First Minister Paul Givan said Donaldson will have his full support if he becomes leader.
Donaldson has also called for the DUP to unite, following a turbulent two months that saw former leader Arlene Foster resign after an internal heave against her – and her successor Edwin Poots followed suit after he was also fatally weakened by a party revolt. His resignation on Thursday night came after just three weeks in the post.
It was prompted by his decision to press ahead with re-constituting the Stormont Executive alongside Sinn Fein, despite a significant majority of his MPs and MLAs being vociferously opposed to the move.
Nominations for the DUP leadership will close at noon today. The next leader will be ratified by the DUP’s central executive committee on Saturday.
It is understood that Givan has been urged to resign as First Minister when a new leader is in place. Once Givan resigns, Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill will also be removed from her post.
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 here