Breaking news: Arlene Foster’s time as DUP leader coming to an end as 75% of her MLAs sign letter of no confidence

People testing positive for Covid-19 in NI down 16% in last seven days - No new deaths but 109 infections recorded in last 24 hours

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Subscribe              Apr 27, 2021           From the editor: Dear reader Arlene Foster's leadership of the DUP looks to be in desperate trouble after five years at the helm.  Sam McBride, our political editor, reports tonight that 75% of DUP MLAs have now signed a letter calling for a leadership contest. It is also believed that at least half of the party's MPs and at least one peer have put their names to what is effectively a letter of no confidence in Mrs Foster. It is now believed there will be an emergency meeting of the party officers to put in place a leadership election. Sam previously reported this morning that eight DUP constituency associations had submitted letters of concern about her position.  Speaking on a visit to a youth centre in Belfast on Tuesday afternoon, Mrs Foster played down any suggestion that her leadership of the party was under threat. Alistair Bushe Editor   Complete our  Where & When quiz  to be eligible for 40% off a digital subscription to the News Letter. We've selected 6 images from the archives and for a bit of fun you can try to guess the location and the year the pictures were taken. The winner will receive a one year National Trust Annual Pass.  Try it now           Arlene Foster's time as DUP leader coming to an end as 75% of her MLAs sign letter of no confidence           After more than five turbulent years as DUP leader, Arlene Foster's time at the helm of Northern Ireland's biggest party appears to be close to an end after 75% of her MLAs signed a letter calling for a leadership contest.                 Positive Covid-19 cases down 16% in last seven days in NI - No new deaths but 109 infections recorded in last 24 hours   The number of people to test positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland over the last seven days is 16 per cent less than the number of infections recorded over the previous seven day period.           This is when IKEA reopens its doors to eager shoppers in Northern Ireland - and its opening hours   Retail giant IkEA is set to open its doors again on April 30 - after being closed since last year.           Covid marshals for Antrim and Newtownabbey town centres   Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is bringing in town centre marshals to remind shoppers of the need for social distancing when businesses reopen this Friday (April 30).           Primark offering extended opening hours in NI to keep customers safe | dedicated employee marshals to help manage customer queues outside stores   Primark stores will be offering extended opening hours across Belfast, Ballymena, Lisburn, Newtonabbey, Newtownards, Newry, Londonderry/Derry and Omagh on April 30.                 View more news

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