Edwin Poots names Paul Givan as new DUP first minister

DUP leader Edwin Poots has announced that Lagan Valley MLA Paul Givan as his nomination to replace Arlene Foster as first mnister.

Mr Poots unveiled his new team during a series of announcements in the Great Hall at Stormont today.

Ms Foster, who was ousted as DUP leader following an internal revolt against her, is expected to resign at the start of next week.

While Mr Poots' choices for Economy and Education ministers - Paul Frew and Michelle McIlveen - will take up their roles at that point, a renomination process involving Sinn Féin will have to be undertaken before Mr Givan assumes office.

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When Ms Foster resigns as first minister, Sinn Féin deputy first minister Michelle O'Neill is automatically removed from her post as well - as the joint office can only function if both positions are filled.

Both parties will then need to re-nominate their respective first and deputy first ministers within seven days.

If one of the parties declines to re-nominate, then a functioning executive could not be formed and a snap election would become likely.

Revealing Mr Givan as First Minister designate, Mr Poots paid tribute to Ms Foster, thanking her for the "excellent work" she had done.

Mr Givan said: "There is a huge responsibility that comes with this position, particularly in serving the people of Northern Ireland."

Mr Poots also named Gary Middleton as junior minister.

Mr Frew replaces Diane Dodds as economy minister while Ms McIlveen replaces Peter Weir in the Education department.

DUP leader Mr Poots paid tribute to the ministers who have been replaced but Ms Dodds expressed disappointment following the announcements.

In a tweet, which has been retweeted by Ms Foster and former leadership contender Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Ms Dodds described the make-up of the appointments as "regrettable".

"It is regrettable however that the new team announced today does not match the rhetoric about healing and bringing the party together," she tweeted.

Mr Poots was later asked about the negative reaction from Ms Dodds.

"I accept that Diane probably isn't in the best place today," he said.

"I have been in that circumstance twice before where I've been a minister and I've been asked to step aside for others. And therefore that is a natural reaction."

However, Mr Poots said it was "inaccurate" to claim his team was only made up of his supporters.

"This team includes people who didn't vote for me, who did vote for me and who didn't declare their intentions," he said.

Mr Weir tweeted: "There are some great appointments but disappointed to leave education, and in the balance of appointments it is sad there is little sign of healing or reaching out."

The ministerial roles will be designate at this stage, with the appointments post-dated to take effect from Monday.

Mr Poots rejected allegations made by some resigning DUP members that there had been bullying and intimidation from members of his camp during the leadership contest.

When it was put to him that people may feel too scared to voice concerns about recent developments within the DUP, Mr Poots said: "Let me just nail this thing about being too scared. This party is a party that will reach out to people and I, as a leader, am not someone who is either scary or bullying - I want to nail that absolutely and factually.

"If anybody wants to bring forward facts, they will be investigated, and they will be investigated fairly.

"I'm not standing for people coming forward with accusations without backing them with facts."

Mr Poots also reiterated his commitment to implement legislation for Irish language speakers at Stormont and all other outstanding aspects of the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) deal that restored powersharing in 2020.

"We have committed to implementing all of NDNA, including the cultural aspects, and other parties have received that assurance," he said.

Outgoing First Minister Ms Foster previously indicated that she will stand down when Mr Poots names a new ministerial team.

But Mr Poots said Ms Foster will remain as first minister to lead a British-Irish Council meeting in her home constituency of Fermanagh on Friday.

Mr Poots began his reshuffle of Stormont posts by announcing new chairs and vice-chairs of a number of committees.

Flanked by the new appointments and deputy party leader Paula Bradley, Mr Poots named his new team.

They include Christopher Stalford as principal deputy speaker and vice-chairman of the standards and privileges committee, Tom Buchanan as vice chairman of procedures, Keith Buchanan as vice chairman of the finance committee and Gordon Lyons as vice chairman of the health committee.

Mr Poots also unveiled David Hilditch as vice chairman of the infrastructure committee and William Irwin as vice chair of the audit committee.

Pam Cameron will become chairwoman of the assembly and executive review committee.

North Antrim MLA Mervyn Storey has been appointed as chairman of the justice committee and Jonathan Buckley will take up the role as chair of the infrastructure committee.

DUP deputy leader Ms Bradley has been appointed as chairwoman of the Communities Committee and William Humphreys is chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

The new appointments come as the DUP has been left reeling by a number of resignations.

South Down DUP constituency association chairman and councillor Glynn Hanna, his daughter Diane Forsythe, association member Richard McKee, and councillor Kathryn Owen all announced their resignations this week.

The latest to quit is Upper Bann association member Roberta McNally.

In her resignation statement posted on social media, Ms McNally referred to scenes at a party executive meeting to ratify Mr Poots as leader last month.

"Having been at the meeting myself, I also witnessed senior members telling people to put their hands down to enable the vote to be open," she said.

"It was clear that those of us who did put our hands up were being noted.

"The arrogance of some senior members at the meeting was mind-blowing.

"I personally, until now, have enjoyed my time in the DUP and it was a great privilege to be elected onto the executive.

"I am extremely sorry to say that I informed the Upper Bann chairman of my resignation."