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Edwin Poots resigns as DUP leader after three weeks in job

He described it as a 'difficult period for the party and the country'

New DUP leader Edwin Poots has resigned.

The news was confirmed tonight (Thursday), in a statement.

Mr Poots had only been in the role for three weeks, taking over the reins from Arlene Foster.

The announcement came on a day when the DUP’s Paul Givan was nominated to take over as First Minister of Northern Ireland.

Speaking this evening Mr Poots said: “I have asked the Party Chairman to commence an electoral process within the Party to allow for a new leader of the Democratic Unionist Party to be elected.

“The Party has asked me to remain in post until my successor is elected.

“This has been a difficult period for the Party and the country and I have conveyed to the Chairman my determination to do everything I can to ensure both Unionism and Northern Ireland is able to move forward to a stronger place.”

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