Arlene Foster formally leaves Stormont Assembly

By Rebecca Black, PA

Northern Ireland’s former first minister Arlene Foster has formally stepped aside as a member of the Stormont Assembly.

Mrs Foster said she did not intend to remain as an MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone in May when she announced her decision to resign as DUP leader following an internal party revolt.

On Thursday, Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland Virginia McVea confirmed that Fermanagh councillor and former party press officer Deborah Erskine had been returned to serve as an MLA to fill the vacancy arising from the resignation of Mrs Foster.

Mrs Foster had served as an MLA since 2003.

Ms Erskine is expected to sign in to Stormont later this week.

Former DUP leader Arlene Foster alongside Deborah Erskine. Pic Deborah Erskine twitter 

Since leaving politics earlier this year, Mrs Foster has been carving out a career in the media, including as a contributor on GB News, and speaking out against abuse on social media.

Her ousting as DUP leader sparked turbulence within the party, and her successor Edwin Poots was forced to resign within weeks before another leadership contest saw Sir Jeffrey Donaldson take the helm.

Mrs Foster tweeted her congratulations to her MLA successor on Thursday following a visit to a school in Dungannon they both attended.

“It’s been an ‘interesting’ year, but I am so pleased that FST has this wonderful, hardworking, capable woman as their new MLA. @deborah_cheryl,” she tweeted.

“Thanks to all who have supported me over 18 years of being your MLA – it’s been my huge privilege and btw I haven’t gone away you know!”

It’s been an “interesting”year, but I am so pleased that FST has this wonderful, hardworking, capable woman as their new MLA. @deborah_cheryl. Thanks to all who have supported me over 18 years of being your MLA - it’s been my huge privilege and btw I haven’t gone away you know! https://t.co/i9tEkoKpwV

— Arlene Foster #WeWillMeetAgain (@ArleneFosterUK) October 7, 2021