Reaction as Foster stands down

Arlene Foster will quit as leader of the DUP and First Minister of Northern Ireland, after facing mounting discontent among her party.

She said she will leave her DUP role on May 28 and resign as First Minister at the end of June.

The 50-year-old Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative indicated her resignation will mark the end of her political career, as she said she was preparing to "depart the political stage''.

Political reaction has been flooding in since the announcement at around 4pm today (Wednesday).

Political reaction

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill tweeted: "I have spoken with Arlene Foster today and she informed me of her decision to step down. I have wished Arlene and her family well in the time ahead. Politics and Power sharing must work and deliver for everyone.''

DUP Agri Minister Edwin Poots, who is rumoured to be a potential candidate for leadership, thanked the outgoing leader and FM for her service.

Another candidate touted to be in the line-up of possible new leaders is Jeffrey Donaldson. He has praised Mrs Foster's "courage" and "conviction".

Party Colleague Nigel Dodds thanked Mrs Foster for "defending the Union".

The SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood, sent "good wishes", but said a "personnel change" alone will not unite communities in NI.

The Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis, said Mrs Foster was a "truly dedicated public servant".

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said "unionism is at a crossroads".

"Today is undoubtedly a difficult day for Arlene and I extend my regards to her and her family.

"I acknowledge the work that she did as First Minister alongside my colleague Michelle O’Neill and other parties in the Executive throughout the Covid-19 crisis.

"The DUP now begins the process of electing a new party leader. We want to work with them in a spirit of generosity and respect.

"That means having partners committed to and willing to share power with the other four parties in the Executive and with the Irish government in the North-South Ministerial Council.

"It also means respecting diversity and delivering the agreed Acht Gaeilge.

"Unionism is at a crossroads.

"The inbuilt unionist majority is now a thing of the past.

"Progressive social changes such as marriage equality are happening. Brexit and Covid-19 are also driving the politics of change. There is no going back."

The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins said: “Serving in public life makes great demands on individuals, which is important to acknowledge.

May I thank Arlene Foster for her public service over many years and wish her health and happiness in the future.”

TUV leader Jim Allister said he found Mrs Foster "straightforward and honourable".

“I have no doubt this has been a very difficult day for Arlene Foster and that the speed of her dispatch will have added to the hurt. I therefore wish Mrs Foster and her family all the best for the future.

“I have known Arlene for many years, dating back to when we both practised law. In all my dealings with her I found her straightforward and honourable, whatever our political differences.

“Going forward, I trust the new DUP leader will be wholly committed to restoring the Union and undoing the severe damage done by the iniquitous Protocol. Only the unstitching of the Union-dismantling Protocol can restore our place within the United Kingdom and afford us the equal citizenship we require. This should be the priority of every unionist,” he said.