Arlene Foster says she's stepping down as DUP leader and Northern Ireland’s First Minister.
It follows calls from within her party for a leadership contest.
She'll step away from heading the DUP on the 28th May - but will remain first minister until the end of June.
In a statement, Mrs Foster's described serving the people of Northern Ireland as 'the privilege of my life.'
Statement by Rt. Hon. Arlene Foster MLA https://t.co/bHCP1IySz7 via @duponline
— DUP (@duponline) April 28, 2021
The DUP will be expected to move to the right after Arlene Foster's announcement.
The Fermanagh MLA was coming under increasing pressure from within the party this week, with 22 MLAs signing a letter of no confidence in her leadership.
The First Minister's abstention last week on a vote on ending conversion therapy in Northern Ireland has been criticised by some in the party.
The North's Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots failed to attend a North/South Ministerial Council meeting this morning in what's seen by some as the first sign of an internal heave against the First Minister.
Speaking to Shannonside Northern Sound ahead of Arlene Foster's announcement, Journalist with the Impartial Reporter Ciaran Flaherty said the DUP is now likely to become more conservative with a new leader:
