Northern Ireland’s new first minister Paul Givan has been told he will have to resign when his party elects a new leader – just days after taking office.
Givan, 39, Stormont’s youngest-ever leader, was informed of the news by DUP party officials after his political ally Edwin Poots resigned as party leader.
Poots stepped down on Thursday following an internal party revolt over his decision to agree a deal with Sinn Fein and nominate Givan as first minister.
When Givan steps down, Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill will also be out of office.
The clock will then start ticking again with just seven days for Sinn Fein and the DUP to renominate. Otherwise, power-sharing will collapse with Northern Ireland likely facing an October election.
O’Neill said she remained committed to working with Givan for as long as he remained in the role.
She said: “I think the issues for the DUP are for the DUP, but where I’m concerned is where it impacts on the day-to-day governance.
“That’s where I would have concerns. So I hope that they get to the point where they’re able to resolve their internal issues and we get back to basics and dealing with good power sharing and delivering public services.”
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