Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken has announced his resignation but will remain in his position until his successor is chosen.
The announcement from South Antrim Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) comes amid the party’s growing concern over his leadership.
Aiken wrote in a letter to party chairman Dermot Kennedy that he believed he has done all he can for the party. “May I say what a privilege it has been to lead our party in these difficult and trying times; while leadership of a political party has many highs and lows, it has been my work with our elected representatives, in particular our MLA team, that has given me the greatest confidence for the future of our great party,” his letter wrote.