Arlene Foster: Letter of no confidence sent to DUP politicians

PA Media

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politicians are being asked to sign a letter of no confidence in Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds, the BBC understands.

The letter is being circulated among DUP MPs and NI Assembly members.

The party said it would not be commenting.

One assembly member told the BBC he was presented with the motion on Mrs Foster, who is NI's first minister, but declined to say if he signed it.

It is understood 21 MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly), four MPs and one peer have already signed the letter.

If this is the case, there is majority support within the party for a change in leadership.

In addition, a letter has been sent from DUP councillors to the party chairman, Lord Morrow, stating they were "severely worried" about the state of the party and country.

"We as councillors and as members are deeply concerned about the future of unionism, Ulster conservatism and the DUP," the letter states.

"As members and councillors, we have received the brunt of the anger from our voter base caused by ineffective leadership."

'Bigger things'

Earlier, Mrs Foster played down suggestions her leadership of the party was under threat.

It followed a report in the Belfast News Letter, which said there was internal party unrest over her leadership.

But Mrs Foster said stories on leadership "come up from time to time".

"So we'll just deal with it and move on because I've bigger things to do, including getting us through this Covid pandemic, including listening to the concerns of working-class communities," she said.

Mrs Foster was elected as the first female leader of the DUP in December 2015, taking over from Peter Robinson. She had been the only candidate.

She has represented the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency since 2003.

Hanging by a thread

Arlene Foster's leadership appears to be hanging by a thread.

The very fact her opponents within the party felt the time was right to ask MLAs to sign up and be counted is very telling.

It is a bold and unprecedented move within the DUP.

But even with that process under way, the DUP leader was adamant there was nothing to see here, telling reporters earlier these stories come up from "time to time".

She said she would deal with it and move on because she had bigger things to do, including fighting a pandemic.

Does dealing "with it" include facing down those within her party who want her out?

It all comes down to a numbers game as the party's elected representatives are invited to take sides

Early indications suggest it may not end well for Mrs Foster.

It is a pretty critical moment I would have to say for the DUP right now.

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April 28, 2021 at 04:28AM

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-56902771