‘That’s Life.’ : Arlene Foster due to stand down as First Minister of Northern Ireland today
Arlene Foster is expected to step down as First Minister of Northern Ireland today after leaving her position as DUP leader last month.
Monday, 14th June 2021, 8:41 am
Mrs Foster’s resignation is expected to make way for Paul Givan to be nominated as the First Minister after he was selected by new DUP Leader Edwin Poots and his party to take on the high profile job at the helm of the NI Executive alongside Deputy First Minister Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill.
Foster seemed in philosophical mood last week in her final public engagement as First Minister after senior figures in her own party banded together to call for a change of leadership.
Robbie Butler appointed Ulster Unionist deputy leader Robbie Butler has been appointed Ulster Unionist deputy leader. Picture by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker
Andy Allen has been appointed UUP deputy chief whip. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye/PA Wire
ULSTER Unionist leader Doug Beattie has appointed Lagan Valley MLA Robbie Butler as the party s deputy leader.
There had been speculation that Mr Butler would contest the leadership after Steve Aiken stepped down earlier this month. However the Lagan Valley MLA ruled himself out and instead offered his support to Mr Beattie.
Mr Beattie, who became leader last week unchallenged, has also appointed East Belfast MLA Andy Allen as the party s deputy chief whip.
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First Minister and outgoing DUP leader Arlene Foster. Picture: Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Asked on the BBC’s Sunday Politics show yesterday if it was likely he could still count Mrs Foster among his friends, Mr Stalford said: “I hope so. I know that people say there are no friends in politics but that is a myth, that is not true.
“We are all good comrades – we are all Democratic Unionists together and I hope is the spirit in which we can take the party forward.”
When asked if he had spoken directly to Mrs Foster since taking part in the coup that unseated her from the party leadership, he replied: “No.”
Bomb targeting police officer left inches from three-year-old girl s car seat Connor Lynch
A three-year-old girl s life was put at risk after a bomb was placed just inches from her car seat, police say.
The PSNI are investigating an attack on one of their officers after a viable explosive device was left at the rear door of her car in Dungiven.
The child was also at home at the time of the incident. A section of the Ballyquin Road, Co Derry, was closed on Monday after a suspicious object was found in the area, and officers remain at the scene.