DUP moves quickly to elect another new leader this Saturday

Q Radio News/PA

DUP party officers have set a date of this coming Saturday June 26 to elect a new leader.

The nomination process has now opened, and will remain so until 12 noon on June 22.

The party issued a statement on Saturday night.

Breaking - DUP to elect a new leader next Saturday.

DUP statement:@duponline #DUP pic.twitter.com/5RlBmbUQfo

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 19, 2021

Party chairman Lord Morrow said: “Following a meeting of the party officers in Belfast today the following decisions were taken.

“The party officers have set the date of June 26 as the date for a meeting to elect a new leader.

“In accordance with the constitution and rules of the Democratic Unionist Party only party members, who are also members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the House of Commons are entitled to vote for the leader or deputy leader. Details have been sent to all eligible voters.”

It follows the resignation of Edwin Poots after just three weeks in the role, amid internal unhappiness over his decision to appoint a First Minister after Westminster vowed to push through Irish language legislation.

MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson - favourite to take over as DUP leader