DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned with immediate effect.
It comes after the party confirmed he had been charged with “allegations of an historical nature”.
The party confirmed that the 61-year-old had written to its chairman to confirm he had been charged and was “stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect”.
The party, in a statement today (Friday), said: “In accordance with the Party Rules, the Party Officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process”.
Gavin Robinson has been “unanimously appointed” as interim leader.
