May 17, 2021 10:57 am
Edwin Poots intends to stay on as Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister despite winning the DUP’s leadership contest on Friday (May 14),
Agriland can reveal.
Traditionally, the leader of the DUP has also held the role of First Minister of Northern Ireland; however, a party source confirmed he will be the first holder of the position not to do so, adding that he will instead continue his position as Agriculture Minister.
A spokesperson for the department declined to comment. However, it’s expected the decision will be confirmed this afternoon after Poots meets with the party’s MLAs.
Poots is thought to be the first Minister of Agriculture in Northern Ireland to have any formal training in agriculture, having attended Greenmount College in his youth and later gone on to run his own family farm.