The new leader’s first job is to appear difficult and to demand at least radical changes to the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. He said: “I will be a leader in unionism who’ll be reaching out to other leaders in unionism. The Northern Ireland Protocol has proven to be a massive challenge for us. The election was called after Arlene Foster resigned as DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister in April, following a party revolt. Steve Aiken, the outgoing Ulster Unionist leader, who announced his resignation last Saturday, wished Poots well, but warned his “fingerprints are all over the Northern Ireland Protocol”.

Source: Irish Independent May 15, 2021 01:34 UTC