The first candidate to announce their bid to become the next leader of the DUP comes from vintage party stock.
Edwin Poots’ father, the late Charlie Poots, is attributed as one the founding members of the party alongside the late Ian Paisley senior in 1971.
His son followed in his footsteps, starting his political career on Lisburn City Council and was later elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998.
Actor Dan Gordan and then Culture Minister Edwin Poots (Niall Carson/PA)
Since then, Mr Poots has held four ministerial portfolios – culture, environment, health and is currently agriculture minister.
His current job could be regarded as a comfortable fit for the Lisburn man who comes from a farming background, however the role became less so at times as the minister with responsibility for implementing the checks required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
First runner in DUP leadership election of vintage party stock
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First runner in DUP leadership election of vintage party stock
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First runner in DUP leadership election of vintage party stock
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First runner in DUP leadership election of vintage party stock
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