Questions over DUP leader’s future

Posted By: March 06, 2017

John Manley. Irish News. Belfast. Monday, March 6, 2017

A surge in votes for Sinn Féin left the republican party with 27 seats – just one behind the DUP, which went into the election with 38.

Mrs. Foster kept a low profile over the weekend, while public expressions of support for her have been conspicuous by their absence.

Former economy minister Simon Hamilton did offer his backing when asked on live television but DUP colleague Gavin Robinson raised the possibility that the leader could agree to step aside as first minister designate.

The East Belfast MP stressed that it would be for Mrs.Foster alone to decide but he added that his party wanted “to see devolved government in Northern Ireland succeed… we are not going to present impediments to progress”.

Efforts to restore the devolved institutions begin today.