Arlene Foster MLA announced her resignation in a personal statement to the Assembly today at 12 noon. Mrs Foster’s resignation takes effect from 1pm today. In her final address to the Assembly, Mrs Foster said she has “unfinished business to ensure Northern Ireland succeeds in its new century”.
Mrs Foster’s resignation automatically removes Michelle O’Neill MLA from her position as deputy First Minister and Declan Kearney MLA from his position as Junior Minister. Sinn Féin has a seven-day period to re-elect a deputy First Minister and Junior Minister and ratify DUP nominees Paul Givan MLA as First Minister and Gary Middleton MLA as Junior Minister.
If Sinn Féin fail to nominate a deputy First Minister before Monday 21 June at 1pm, Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis, is legally required to call a snap Assembly election.
Over the next seven days, the two parties will engage in negotiations as it has been reported Sinn Féin will seek to secure concessions, such as the implementation of the Irish Language Act as part of the New Decade New Approach deal, before agreeing to enter into government again.