ARLENE Foster has resigned as DUP leader and Northern Ireland’s First Minister.
She told Sky News she would give way to party bosses to elect a new leader.
She will stand down as DUP Leader at end of May and First Minister at end of June – paving the way for a fresh leadership contest.
She described serving the people of Northern Ireland as “the privilege of my life”.
The outgoing first minister 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 Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party leader yesterday came under fire with insiders stating that they are “severely worried” about the state of the party and country.
It came after yesterday a letter was circulated amongst DUP politicians and Northern Ireland Assembly members, calling for Foster to be removed.
It is understood 22 MLAs, four MPs and one peer have already signed the document – which meant that there was a majority for a change in leadership within the party.
Foster has previously been slammed over her handling of a botched green energy scandal which led to the collapse of Stormont for three years.
The DUP has also refused to back the Northern Ireland Protocol, which would create a border in the Irish Sea, and recent changes to abortion laws have caused anger within the party.
Just earlier this week she played down rifts in the party and said she had better things to get on with than address squabbles.
She had previously said: “Stories on leadership come up from time to time, and it’s one of those times.”
Ms Foster played a huge role in British politics in recent years, particularly under Theresa May when the DUP signed up to a deal to back the Conservatives after the PM lost her majority at the 2017 election.
The party was incredibly influential in the Brexit negotiations, keen to ensure that Northern Ireland continued to be tied to the rest of Great Britain.
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