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Edwin Poots pictured at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belfast as his election as leader of the DUP was eventually ratified. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
The BBC reported that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Nigel Dodds, Diane Dodds and Gavin Robinson all left the meeting before Mr Poots made his speech.
East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson, speaking on The View, played down any significant opposition to Mr Poots, but said he did not know why Mr Donaldson, Mr Dodds, Mrs Dodds and Mr Robinson left the meeting early.
Mr Wilson said: “It went on long because we’re a democratic party, we give people the opportunity to say what they want to say. Some of them say it sensibly, others say it a bit more sharper than others.