Arlene Foster announces resignation as DUP leader and NI first minister

Arlene Foster announces her resignation as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and as NI first minister after an internal revolt.

Mrs Foster said she would step down as DUP leader on 28 May and as first minister at the end of June.

It comes as she was facing a revolt among her party's representatives.

More than 20 DUP Northern Ireland Assembly members and four MPs had signed a letter voicing no-confidence in the leadership.

She became leader of the party in December 2015 and, the following month as leader of Stormont's largest party, she was appointed first minister of Northern Ireland.

She was the first woman and the youngest person to hold both jobs.

She said it had been the privilege of her life to "serve the people of Northern Ireland as their first minister and to represent my home constituency of Fermanagh/South Tyrone".

"My election as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party broke a glass ceiling and I am glad to inspired other women to enter politics and spurred them on to take up elected office," Mrs Foster said.

"I understand the misogynistic criticisms that female public figures have to take and sadly it's the same for all women in public life.

"I want to encourage you to keep going and don't let the online lynch mobs get you down."

It is understood there is majority support among the party's Stormont and Westminster ranks - about 80% - for a change in leadership.

It is believed 22 of the DUP's 27 MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) and four MPs signed a letter of no confidence in Mrs Foster and the party leadership.

Only a small number of the DUP membership - MLAs and MPs - will get to vote in a leadership contest.

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