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It was announced today (April 28) Arlene Foster will step down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party on May 28. Mrs Foster will also step down as First Minister of Northern Ireland at the end of June.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Arlene Foster said: “A short time ago I called the Party Chairman (Lord Morrow) to inform him that I intend to step down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party on May 28 and as First Minister of Northern Ireland at the end of June.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster has served as First Minister of Northern Ireland since January 2020, and previously from 2016 to 2017.<\/p>\n
She has also served as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party since 2015.<\/p>\n
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Mrs Foster’s continued leadership of the DUP has been called into question by members of the party in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster’s resignation comes after 75 percent of the DUP’s Northern Ireland Assembly members signed a letter demanding a leadership contest.<\/span><\/p>\n