Nigel Dodds To Step Down As DUP Deputy Leader
Nigel Dodds has announced he is to step down as deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
He said he will not be seeking re-election when the position and leadership role are voted on next Friday.
Lord Dodds said: "Following my appointment to the House of Lords I decided that I would be stepping back from my party role whenever the next internal election cycle occurred.
"Since, under the party rules, Peers are not even part of the party’s electoral college for leadership positions, it would be incongruous and inappropriate to do otherwise.