[Politics] DUP leadership: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson expected to announce bid

[Mr.Talha]

 

 

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is expected to announce his intention to stand for the leadership of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) on Monday.

Nominations opened on Saturday but it is unlikely that anyone will stand against the Lagan Valley MP.

Edwin Poots announced his resignation from the DUP's top post last Thursday after 21 days - the shortest leadership term in the party's history.

The process for electing a new DUP leader will be completed on Saturday.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has warned that the new leader of the DUP cannot be allowed to "choreograph the collapse of the institutions at Stormont".

It comes after the DUP's Paul Givan was told he would have to resign as Northern Ireland's first minister when a new party leader takes over.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Eastwood said: "With the imminent resignation of their first minister, it is increasingly clear that the DUP are positioning themselves to manufacture another political crisis that will once again threaten our local institutions.

"In a desperate attempt to stabilise their own party, they are recklessly prepared to destabilise devolution.

"No political party and no government should indulge this recklessness - the vast majority of the public won't indulge it so no-one else should."

"No-one should be threatening to tear down local government in the middle of a pandemic.

"It simply wouldn't be tolerated anywhere else and people shouldn't be expected to tolerate it here."

Mr Poots had beaten Sir Jeffrey by 19 votes to 17, in the party's first leadership contest in its 50-year history last month.

The timeline for the next DUP leadership process was announced at the weekend by the party's chairman Lord Morrow.

Potential new leaders must submit in writing their nomination, supported by a proposer and seconder, to Lord Morrow before midday on Tuesday.

Likely plotlines if Donaldson writes DUP script
Only Stormont assembly members (MLAs) and MPs are entitled to vote for the party's leader.

Mr Poots stepped down on Thursday after an internal party revolt over his decision to agree a deal with Sinn Féin and nominate Mr Givan as first minister.

That came after Westminster vowed to push through Irish language legislation in October if Stormont fails to do so beforehand.

Sinn Féin had asked for reassurances about the introduction of Irish language provision before making a nomination for deputy first minister.