Politics

Dodds and Foster double act to head DUP

Nigel Dodds is favourite to succeed Peter Robinson as DUP leader. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Nigel Dodds is favourite to succeed Peter Robinson as DUP leader. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire Nigel Dodds is favourite to succeed Peter Robinson as DUP leader. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire

NORTH Belfast MP Nigel Dodds is odds-on favourite to succeed Peter Robinson as leader of the DUP with finance minister Arlene Foster assuming the first minister's role.

Mr Robinson (66) has been leader of the north's largest party and Stormont first minister since 2008, when he succeeded Ian Paisley.

The DUP has had only two leaders since its formation in the early 1970s and has never held a leadership election.

It is now likely to opt for another 'coronation', though the decision ultimately lies with the DUP parliamentary party, which includes its MPs, MLAs, MEPs and members of the House of Lords.

Ms Foster, who previously stood in for Mr Robinson when he temporarily stepped aside as first minister in 2010, is a former member of the Ulster Unionist party, but to date her previous political allegiance has not hindered her career within the DUP.

Mr Dodds is seen as being on the traditional wing of the party and the decision to split the leader's role and that of the first minister is seen as a way of uniting members.

Bookmaker Paddy Power made Mr Dodds and Ms Foster odds-on favourites for the leader and first minister's posts, respectively on Thursday.

Strangford MLA and health minister is Simon Hamilton is second favourite to be first minister at much longer odds of 11/2, while Ms Foster is second favourite for the leadership at 7/2.