Arlene Foster announces decision to resign as leader of the DUP and First Minister

There have been one more death in NI of a patient who tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours

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Subscribe              Apr 28, 2021           Dear reader Arlene Foster is to step down as DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister, she announced this afternoon.   Bringing an end to around 24 hours of fevered speculation about her future, Mrs Foster said in a statement that she would step down as DUP leader on May 28 before departing as first minister a month later.   She said: "It is important to give space over the next few weeks for the party officers to make arrangements for the election of a new leader. When elected, I will work with the new leader on transition arrangements." Her statement included a commitment to "depart the political stage", suggesting that Mrs Foster will leave politics altogether.  See Thursday's News Letter for reports, reaction and analysis about Mrs Foster's decision to step down.  Alistair Bushe   Editor   Want total access to all of our online content? You can subscribe to our website, newsletter.co.uk for just £1 a month for 3 months - and it couldn't be easier.   Signing up will get you faster-loading articles, fewer adverts and access to exclusive content and events when we run them. To learn more, visit our Subscriptions page here.           Northern Ireland shipping three oxygen generators to India to fight Covid surge - see how you can make a donation           Northern Ireland's health service is offering three oxygen generation units as part of the UK's humanitarian response to India's COVID-19 crisis.                 One more death and 98 people test positive for Covid-19 in last 24 hours - increased testing being carried out with 48,850 tests in last seven days   There have been one more death in NI of a patient who tested positive for Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, the latest Department of Health dashboard has revealed.           UK holidaymakers could get Covid passports to travel to Europe by late June   UK holidaymakers could be visiting European countries again by late June following the launch of Covid passports.           'Find a way' to relax care home visiting rules, Robin Swann told   Health Minister Robin Swann has been urged to "find a way" to allow more family members to visit their loved ones in care homes.           NI school sends two year groups home after pupils test positive for Covid-19 - Year 8 and Year 11   Two year groups in a NI school have been sent home this morning after two pupils tested positive for Covid-19.           Pints on Friday? NI lockdown easing 'chaos' as beer gardens and restaurants struggle with new rules before Friday opening   Pubs and restaurants looking forward to opening outdoor beer gardens and dining spaces on Friday are being faced with a state of "chaos" around the rules, an industry body has warned.           BREAKING NEWS - Arlene Foster announces she is to resign leader of the DUP and First Minister   First Minister, Arlene Foster, has confirmed she is to stand down as leader of the DUP next month and as First Minister for Northern Ireland in June.                 View more news

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